1 Response to philadelphia80connors_mcenroe

1. Voo de Mar says:

   July 21, 2024 at 3:30 pm

   Points won by each set: | 28-18, 18-29, 29-20, 18-31, 35-30 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   16 % Connors – 20 of 122
   28 % McEnroe – 38 of 134

   The first of five 5-setters in a legendary rivalry between the two best US Players of the 70s and 80s. Also one of the most laborious weekends in [3] McEnroe’s life. Philadelphia it was the biggest indoor event in the early 80s, therefore to emphasise it, the semifinals were played in the ‘best of five’ format. The 20-year-old Mac needed more than three hours to outlast Sadri 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday. After a one-hour break he came back on the court with his partner Peter Fleming to play the tightest ‘best of three’ doubles match of his life concluded with a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory over Gunthardt/Fibak, withstanding a match point after more than three hours. On Sunday, McEnroe spent more than three hours again (!) in the singles final vs Connors [2], who already led 5:2* in the decider. Despite nearly 10 hours on the court within a day, McEnroe had still enough energy to play well in the doubles final, and win it 6-3, 7-6 against one of the best pairs in the world (Gottfried/Ramirez).

   Connors’ route to his 81st title:
   2 Tom Gullikson 7-5, 6-4
   3 Raul Ramirez 6-2, 6-2
   Q Wojtek Fibak 6-2, 6-2
   S Gene Mayer 6-4, 6-0, 6-2
   W John McEnroe 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
   

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