1 Response to ao89lendl_mcenroe

1. Voo de Mar says:

   October 7, 2023 at 11:38 am

   Points won by each set: | 44-35, 29-15, 42-33 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   26 % Lendl – 24 of 89
   34 % McEnroe – 38 of 109

   That match gave [2] Lendl a 15-14 edge in a fascinating rivalry between the two best players of the 80s. Even though there were two tie-breaks (7/0 and 7/2) Lendl’s advantage was quite overwhelming. Almost every time when Lendl made a good return, McEnroe [11] was in troubles, the number of passing-shot winners was impressive for a three-set match. Enough said, McEnroe played just one deuce as a receiver (in the 3rd game of the match), there was a streak of nine games on Lendl’s serve (extended through three sets) when the American was unable to win two points within a game. McEnroe was trying to attack the net behind his return too, only to see Lendl’s merciless passing-shots. The last of them (forehand) finished that one-sided contest.

   # Comparison of their two 3-set Slam quarterfinals within 1.5 years:
   US Open 1987: Lendl d. McEnroe 6-3, 6-3, 6-4… 2 hours 21 minutes… Total points: 90-70 (winners by percentage: 35-24%)
   Aus Open 1989: Lendl d. McEnroe 7-6, 6-2, 7-6… 2 hours 22 minutes… Total points: 115-83 (winners by percentage: 48-26%)
   

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