2 Responses to wb84mcenroe_connors

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 10, 2023 at 10:48 pm

   Points won by each set: [ 26-13, 27-15, 30-14 ]
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   49 % McEnroe – 27 of 55
   24 % Connors – 17 of 70

   # Another phenomenal service disposition of McEnroe [1], who hit 65% first serves in eleven service games & Connors [3] didn’t reach ‘deuce’ even once! The most one-sided match in their long rivalry. The 32-year-old Connors at the time, never played a Grand Slam final again, but appeared in seven semifinals between US Open ’84 and US Open ’91. “I played about as well I ever have,” said McEnroe, “The thought crossed my mind out there that it’s nice to make your mark on a sport. It’s an honor to be put in the same category as Laver and Borg, to be considered one of the very best.” McEnroe, three-time champion, two-time runner-up (1980-1984), never player another Wimbledon final, even though he was only 25-year-old then.

   McEnroe’s route to his 54th title:
   1 Paul McNamee 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-1
   2 Rodney Harmon 6-1, 6-3, 7-5
   3 Wally Masur 6-0, 6-4, 6-3
   4 Bill Scanlon 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
   Q John Sadri 6-3, 6-3, 6-1
   S Pat Cash 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-4
   W Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2

   # Comparison of two totally one-sided Wimbledon finals played year-by-year:
   Wimbledon ’83: J.McEnroe d. C.Lewis 6-2, 6-2, 6-2… 1 hour 25 minutes… Total points: 79-43
   Wimbledon ’84: J.McEnroe d. Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2… 1 hour 20 minutes… Total points: 83-42

   * McEnroe squandered 3 match points in the only set he lost during the fortnight
   

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   August 28, 2024 at 7:33 pm

   The last big final of two best Americans born in the 50s, both left-handers, both with big temperaments, both Irish descendants, 25 and 32 years-old at the time.

   Their Gaelic surnames originally and IPA:
   Mac Conruadh: /mæk ˈkʌnˠ.ɾˠuə/ -> McEnroe
   Ó Conchobhair: /oː kɔn̪ˠxɔwəɾʲ/ -> Connors

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