1 Response to masters94becker_bruguera

1. Voo de Mar says:

   November 18, 2020 at 3:30 pm

   Points won by each set: | 43-48, 40-36, 25-13 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   43 % Becker – 47 of 107
   30 % Bruguera – 30 of 98

   # Becker [5] won four Masters semifinals in the 90s, and every time he was close or closer to lose those matches. The German was a heavy favourite against Bruguera [3] who was labelled as a clay-courter, but the Spaniard made a big improvement on faster surfaces in his best years 1993-94, and the semifinal in Frankfurt actually ended that period when he could have even dreamt about becoming the best player in the world (Muster jumped into Bruguera’s shoes in 1995). The 2nd set was quite special, all ten games where finished with a two-point advantage, half of them went to deuce. Becker led 4:3 (40/15), but a moment later he faced a double mini-match point; withstood it with two good serves. Bruguera had his third chance, but Becker played arguably the best point at the net and broke in the following game for the first time that day. The 3rd set it was a one-way traffic, the Spaniard got his only game to cut for 1:3 when Becker apparently didn’t try as a receiver at all.

   # Comparison of Becker’s four dramatic ‘Masters’ semifinals in Germany:
   Frankfurt ’92: Becker d. Ivanisevic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6… 2 hours 22 minutes… Total points: 99-96… 2 points away
   Frankfurt ’94: Becker d. Bruguera 6-7, 6-4, 6-1… 2 hours 10 minutes… Total points: 108-97… 5 points away
   Frankfurt ’95: Becker d. Enqvist 6-4, 6-7, 7-5… 2 hours 18 minutes… Total points: 111-100… 7 points away
   Hannover ’96: Becker d. Krajicek 6-7, 7-6, 6-3… 2 hours 11 minutes… Total points: 101-96… 2 points away

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