2 Responses to ao82kriek_denton

1. Voo de Mar says:

   November 7, 2025 at 8:50 pm

   Points won by each set: | 29-22, 32-21, 38-28 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   37 % Kriek – 33 of 88
   36 % Denton – 30 of 82

   The same players in the Aussie Open final second year running, actually they played two finals the same year because the Aussie Open ’81 was concluded in January ’82 while the Aussie Open ’82 in December that year! Both escaped the semifinals trailing 3:5 in the fifth sets, but the marathons in the dazzling sun affected Denton [13] more (he had played one match more). His first serve was generally the only shot in his arsenal that made him feel superior to Kriek [12]; in the final that shot deserted him (especially when it mattered the most, as he was facing break points) and the match unfolded in a pretty straightforward fashion. From *2:3 (15/30) in the opener the Afrikaner – with a fresh American citizenship – was dominating in every aspect of tennis craftsmanship. The last two games were the longest (6 and 5 deuces respectively).

   Kriek’s route to his 7th title:
   2 Mike De Palmer 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6
   3 Eric Sherbeck 6-1, 7-6 ☆
   4 Charlie Fancutt 6-2, 6-2
   Q Drew Gitlin 6-0, 6-4, 6-1
   S Paul McNamee 7-6(1), 7-6(7), 4-6, 3-6, 7-5 – 1 m.p.
   W Steve Denton 6-3, 6-3, 6-2

   ☆ First & second rounds “best of five” but third & fourth “best of three”!

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   November 7, 2025 at 10:43 pm

   ☆☆ Kriek – the weakest two-time Slam champion? I have no doubt about that. Admittedly the draw in the ’82 edition was increased from 64 to 96, but it meant still “only” six matches required for Kriek to be the champion, not seven like in other Slams. Besides, similarly to the previous Aussie Open editions, the best players in the world didn’t bother to make a trip to Australia. In the ’81 edition there were at least two Top 10 players in Melbourne [Vilas – 6, McNamara – 10], none in 1982 (!) – Kriek and Denton were the top seeds [12 and 13 in the ranking]. The 1983 edition finally featured the stars – Lendl, Wilander & McEnroe took part being the only Top 10ers; Kriek, as a defending champion, lost to Wilander in the quarterfinal which snapped his 15-match winning streak in the event.

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