1 Response to tokyo96sampras_reneberg

1. Voo de Mar says:

   October 24, 2020 at 1:26 pm

   Points won directly behind the serve:
   50 % Sampras – 29 of 57
   20 % Reneberg – 14 of 69

   Sampras omitted the Asian Swing in 1995, but decided to play out there in 1996 to gain important points in terms of his rivalry with Andre Agassi & Thomas Muster for the top spot in the men’s ranking. Sampras appeared in Asia with a stubble for the first time, didn’t display an impressive form, but won the Asian combo anyway (Hong Kong & Tokyo). For the 31-year-old doubles specialist Reneberg [63], it was the biggest singles final (played 7 in total) – he won five matches en route to the final, including a straight sets win over Michael Chang [4]. The final seemed like a piece of cake, but Sampras squandered a double break point leading 2:0 in the 2nd set, and Reneberg came back levelling in the 6th game. “Being No. 1 is important. I’ve said so many times it means a lot more if I stay number one until the year-end, which is a true indication of who had the best year… but it’s nice” said Sampras after the final about regaining the top in men’s tennis triumphing in Hong Kong seven days before.

   Sampras’ route to his 40th title:
   2 Lionel Roux 6-3, 6-2
   3 Magnus Norman 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
   Q Guy Forget 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
   S Mark Woodforde 7-6(5), 6-4
   W Richey Reneberg 6-4, 7-5

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