1 Response to wb97sampras_korda

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 16, 2022 at 4:10 pm

   Points won by each set: | 31-22, 30-18, 52-52, 43-47, 29-21 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   50 % Sampras – 79 of 157
   37 % Korda – 71 of 188

   # The second of their three incredible five-setters. It’s really remarkable that despite Sampras’ high efficiency in tie-breaks (62% – one of the best TB players in history), he lost two tie-breaks in each of three dramatic five-setters against Korda (53% in tie-breaks) which is unseen before or after in other rivalries. Their only Wimbledon meeting, played on court no. 1, lasted two days and started with Sampras’ nose bleeding. The American led 6-4, 4:2 when players had to leave the court due to slippery conditions (8:37 pm). The following day Korda [24] improved his serve and at 3-all in the 3rd set he had his only break points (Sampras held after 5 deuces). Nonetheless, Sampras was on his way to get a straight sets victory as he led 5:1 in a tie-break. Having two match points (6:5, 8:7) he slipped twice, and the Czech played two forehand winners. In the 4th set Sampras [1] was again close to get the set, that time at 6:5 (30-all). He played poorly another tie-break, and similarly to their GSC ’93 match, another bitter loss to Korda seemed a reality. In the previous season, Sampras found himself in similar situations twice, namely losing MP-up sets in “the best of five” matches against the elite players (vs Ivanisevic at US Open and Becker in the Masters final); he survived them, and stayed calm against Korda as well. He got a break in the opening game of the decider and had no problem to hold five times in a row.

   # Comparison of their three dramatic five-setters with two TBs for Korda:
   Munich ’93 (SF): Korda d. Sampras 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(10), 13-11… 4 hours 32 minutes… Total points: 211-221… Percentage of winners: 35%
   Wimbledon ’97 (4R): Sampras d. Korda 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-7(1), 6-4… 3 hours 23 minutes… Total points: 185-160… Percentage of winners: 32%
   US Open ’97 (4R): Korda d. Sampras 6-7, 7-5, 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3)… 3 hours 37 minutes… Total points: 188-170… Percentage of winners: 30%

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