1 Response to la88pernfors_agassi

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 13, 2024 at 5:53 pm

   Points won by each set: | 29-22, 41-36 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   22 % Pernfors – 15 of 69
   18 % Agassi – 11 of 59

   It was a big upset given how well the 18-year-old Agassi [4] had been playing all year, having defeated Pernfors in their two previous ’88 meetings (including Memphis final). Admittedly Agassi – in his second full season – skipped Aussie Open and Wimbledon, but apart from that he was playing a lot, and it drained him both, physically and mentally as he admitted after the final. The rising star needed a two-month rest following that L.A. loss. On the other hand, Pernfors [30] played a smart tennis drawing conclusions from his two defeats to Agassi. The 25-year-old Swede was mixing up the pace, and Agassi’s stiff neck certainly helped the Swede too (it limited Agassi’s forehand swing). There was unusual situation at 3:2 in the opener as they both needed medical treatments simultaneously: Agassi to his neck, Pernfors to his right foot. In the 2nd set Agassi led 3:0* (40/15), but played a poor passing-shot allowing Pernfors to come back to the set. The Swede won the last three games, converting his second match point with a forehand volley winner. “I don’t think anyone thought I was going to win,” Pernfors said. The following month he won another western US event, in Scottsdale. Pernfors has been living in the United States since his late teenage years. His American-English was fluent as he became a professional, so the US crowd supported him, and officials in the US events were frequently announcing him as ‘Michael’ or ‘Mike’ instead of ‘Mikael’.

   Pernfors’ route to his maiden title (53rd main-level event):
   1 Tim Wilkison 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) – 2 m.p.
   2 Marty Davis 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
   Q Jim Pugh 6-3, 7-5
   S Kevin Curren 7-6(7), 6-4
   W Andre Agassi 6-2, 7-5

   Serve & volley: Pernfors 0, Agassi 0/1

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