2 Responses to ao91becker_mcenroe

1. Voo de Mar says:

   January 7, 2024 at 7:55 am

   Points won by each set: | 42-45, 38-31, 29-14, 32-26 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   34 % Becker – 42 of 122
   17 % McEnroe – 24 of 135

   In the mid 80s, when teenagers Edberg and Becker appeared on the tennis scene, it was probable that one day these two serve-and-volleyers would co-create a semifinal line-up in a Grand Slam event along with Lendl and McEnroe who were the best at the time. It finally happened at the Australian Open ’91, but shockingly instead of John, his younger brother Patrick remained in the last four with three great players. “It’s just like you all expected – Edberg, Lendl, McEnroe and Becker” – Patrick [114] commented his unexpected advancement to the semifinals. He took advantage of a beneficial draw because despite his low ranking, he was a clear underdog only in the third round as he faced a seeded Berger, defeating him 6-1, 7-5, 7-5 in almost three hours – it was the penultimate match in Berger’s career.
   [2] Becker’s straight set victory was expected and he quickly raced to a 3:0 (break point) lead, but at 5:4 he squandered a set point when McEnroe’s backhand passing-shot landed on the sideline. The American took the breaker 7/2, and in spite of his relatively slow serve, he was comfortably holding in the 2nd set, mixing up the pace wisely with fast backhands and attacks to the net behind the serve. Becker [2] seemed a bit frustrated, but trailing *3:4 he found a medicine and grabbed 13 out of 15 games. He already led 4:1 (break point) in the 4th set when McEnroe saved it with a serve-and-volley action to win three games in a row. Becker’s huge experience paid off, he remained calm and the situation of the opener wasn’t repeated, that time having a break (match) point at 5:4 he played very good backhand to secure a berth in his first Aussie Open final. # Four years later they face each other in the US Open quarterfinal, and Becker survives a 4-set epic.

   # Comparison of their two Grand Slam 4-setters:
   Aussie Open ’91 (SF): Becker d. P.McEnroe 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4… 3 hours 10 minutes… Total points: 141-116
   US Open ’95 (QF): Becker d. P.McEnroe 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6… 4 hours 7 minutes… Total points: 184-173

   Serve & volley: Becker 3/4, McEnroe 12/22

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   January 7, 2024 at 11:40 am

   A few months later they play again in the Key Biscayne third round, and McEnroe notches a shocking 6-1, 6-4 victory.

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