1 Response to wb98ivanisevic_krajicek

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 13, 2023 at 5:07 pm

   Points won by each set: | 27-20, 30-27, 29-35, 39-41, 78-63 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   40 % Ivanisevic – 80 of 199
   51 % Krajicek – 99 of 191

   That almost 3.5h semifinal was played between the two best servers of the 90s beside Sampras, Krajicek’s 51% of points directly behind the serve for a marathon 5-setter is really remarkable! Just like Bjorn Borg in the memorable Wimbledon 1980 final, Ivanisevic led 5:4 (40/15) serving in the 4th set – he lost four points in a row though! In the decider, Krajicek broke for a 3:2 lead (to ’30’); the Croat broke back immediately to ‘love’, and they were holding with ease until the 28th game when the Dutchman lost his serve to ’15’ being visibly more tired mentally. # Before them in the 20th Century, after the tie-break introduction, only a 1983 semifinal was similarly dominated by the servers for five sets.

   # Comparison of the tightest Wimbledon semifinals in the 20th Century:
   1983: C.Lewis d. Curren 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 8-6… 3 hours 45 minutes… Total points: 194-190 (384)… Breaks: 4-2… Points behind the serve: 39-38%
   1998: Ivanisevic d. Krajicek 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-7, 15-13… 3 hours 22 minutes… Total points: 203-186 (389)… Breaks: 5-3… Points behind the serve: 40-51%

   Log in to Reply