1 Response to philadelphia91lendl_sampras

1. Voo de Mar says:

   April 19, 2024 at 12:44 pm

   Points won by each set: | 36-39, 33-25, 27-22, 19-27, 32-24 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   32 % Lendl – 46 of 140
   38 % Sampras – 56 of 144

   # Lendl [3] avenged sensational loss to Sampras [5] he suffered a few months before in New York, confirming his aspiration to regain the top spot in men’s ranking. The Czechoslovak was still very sharp at 31, in the first quarter of the season he played 4 finals in 6 tournaments grabbing two titles. Philadelphia “U.S. Pro Indoor” it was the most prestigious indoor event in the United States at the time, held during the US swing under the roofs in February (San Francisco, Philadelphia, Memphis, Chicago). Sampras saved mini-set points in two games of the opener and raced to a 4:1* in the 2nd set, but since the beginning of that set Lendl had accelerated his backhand strokes and it finally paid off. He won five games in succession, and a break for him at 3-all in the 3rd set proved to be decisive. In the opening game of the decider (the longest one in the final – three deuces), Sampras created a double break point, his defensive lob pushed Lendl to a very uncomfortable position, but the best player of the 80s responded with a smart backhand slice not allowing Sampras to win the point at the net. Lendl broke at 2:1 and held his last three service games without any troubles, finishing the contest with three straight aces. “I enjoy {playing Sampras} because it’s no nonsense,” Lendl said. “You just keep playing and slug it out and the best man wins.” Lendl earned $135,000, Sampras $72,600.

   Lendl’s route to his 89th title:
   2 Guillaume Raoux 6-1, 7-5
   3 Gary Muller 7-6(5), 6-3
   Q Michael Stich 6-2, 7-6(7)
   S Brad Gilbert 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
   W Pete Sampras 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

   # Gilbert led *3:0 (40/15) in the 3rd set; it was their last meeting, Lendl won their rivalry 16-0 never before being close to lose to Gilbert

   # Comparison of their two five-setters:
   US Open ’90 (QF): Sampras d. Lendl 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2… 4 hours 5 minutes… Total points: 173-178… Breaks: 5-4
   P’delphia ’91 (F): Lendl d. Sampras 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3… 3 hours 20 minutes… Total points: 147-137… Breaks: 4-3

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