1 Response to uo80mcenroe_borg

1. Voo de Mar says:

   July 23, 2024 at 2:06 pm

   Points won by each set: | 48-46, 27-11, 41-39, 36-37, 32-27 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   39 % McEnroe – 71 of 180
   15 % Borg – 25 of 164

   # The second major final of the two best players in the world that year, and another epic. Prior to that match, Borg [1] had won 13 consecutive five-setters [1976-1980]!! Two of them in back-to-back matches before the final, but it cannot be treated as an excuse given McEnroe [2] also had two tough matches in a row, against more demanding players in the quarter- and semifinal… Borg served twice to win the opening set, i.a. leading 5:4 (30/15). McEnroe – the defending champion – was three points away from winning the title in the 12th game of the 3rd set and squandered a mini-match point at 5-all in the 4th set. Despite wasted chances in successive sets, he kept his composure. There was one break of serve in the deciding set, Big-Mac got it at 3-all. ”There was consistency today, but I don’t think Björn played that well through the whole match.” McEnroe stated. ”The Wimbledon match was much better,” Borg said. ”John can play better, I can play better.” In hindsight, it was McEnroe’s most satisfying title, as he defeated his three biggest rivals in the final three rounds. On top of that he did it after difficult matches.

   McEnroe’s route to his 20th title:
   1 Christophe Roger-Vasselin 6-3, 6-4, 6-1
   2 Steve Krulevitz 7-6(5), 6-0, 6-2
   3 Richard Meyer 6-1, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
   4 Pascal Portes 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
   Q Ivan Lendl 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
   S Jimmy Connors 6-4, 5-7, 0-6, 6-3, 7-6(3)
   W Bjorn Borg 7-6(4), 6-1, 6-7(5), 5-7, 6-4

   Mcenroe was four points away from losing to Connors

   # Comparison of two 5-set major finals of 1980:
   Wimbledon: Borg d. McEnroe 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6… 3 hours 53 minutes… Total points: 192-184… Breaks: 4-3
   US Open: McEnroe d. Borg 7-6, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4… 4 hours 14 minutes… Total points: 184-160… Breaks: 8-6

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