1 Response to uo89becker_lendl

1. Voo de Mar says:

   August 25, 2020 at 12:29 pm

   Points won by each set: | 47-45, 9-24, 31-23, 47-42 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   33 % Becker – 48 of 143
   20 % Lendl – 25 of 125

   Becker had convincingly won Indian Wells twice (1987–88) so it seemed a matter of time he’d conquer one of two hardcourt majors. He was a few months before his 22nd birthday when triumphed in New York… The (Czecho)slovak, best player in the world, led *2:0 in the 4th set, then it was *2:4 (deuce). It was his eight US Open final in a row and the last one (record in them: 3-5). Becker finished the 3-hour 51-minute final with two powerful serves: an ace and a firm service winner. The US Open ’89 final it was one out of three New York City meetings between them, with Becker [2] winning two sets in tie-breaks on eahc occasion (other two cases: Masters ’88 & US Open ’92). Stretching from Wimbledon ’88 to US Open ’89 they met four times, always producing dramatic 4- or 5-setters, Becker won them all leaving an impression he was the best player in the world of the late 80s, but the ranking didn’t reflect it – Lendl finished the year 1989 on the top; it would have been otherwise if Becker’s rubbers of the Davis Cup ’89 had been awarded with the ranking points.

   Becker’s route to his 23rd title (4th major):
   1 David Pate 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
   2 Derrick Rostagno 1-6, 6-7(1), 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 – 2 m.p.
   3 Miloslav Mecir 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
   4 Mikael Pernfors 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
   Q Yannick Noah 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
   S Aaron Krickstein 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
   W Ivan Lendl 7-6(2), 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(4)

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