2 Responses to rg00norman_safin

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 12, 2025 at 2:59 pm

   Points won by each set: | 37-34, 34-21, 30-34, 42-39 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   30 % Norman – 34 of 113
   21 % Safin – 34 of 158

   Ranking-wise it was an elite match-up [No. 3 vs No. 12 -> no. 8 guaranteed], but both were playing tennis of their lives at the time, and it was expected that one of them would become the best player in the world soon ☆☆. Counting from Barcelona ’00 – where Safin defeated Norman (2-6, 7-6, 6-3), four years his senior, in the semifinals – the Russian had a 21:2 record on clay while Norman 17:3, but the experience was on Norman’s side as he had played two major quarterfinals while Safin none… The young Russian played his best tennis early on, but Norman withstood a break point at 0:3 with an ace, and delivered less aesthetic, yet more efficient tennis at the crucial stages in 3 out of 4 sets he won (trailed *3:4 in 1st, *2:3 in 2nd, and 15/30 at 5-all in the 4th when survived a 7-stroke rally making a quick transition from defense to attack). Safin got his only break in the 3rd set to lead 2:1 – Norman took a MTO to his right foot (heavy taped); leading *4:3 (30/40) Safin fired three aces in succession. In the last game of the match, they both were falling on the ground (Norman harder, thus his entire back was dirty – photo), ultimately the Swede converted his third match point, Safin immediately broke his racquet in anger.

   Serve & volley: both 0

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   September 12, 2025 at 4:43 pm

   ☆ I watched this match in 2000, now after I’ve rewatched it 25 years later, I think this match anticipated the modern game of the mid 20s – both had very reliable two-handed backhands, quite often exchanging cross-court, both were able to serve around 200 kph, and neither of them was interested in applying the serve-and-volley strategy, even though this game-style still obligated on the fastest surfaces (grass, carpet) among the most successful players on them

   ☆☆ Safin became the best indeed, after the US Open ’00 while Norman reached his physical limits with the French Open ’00 final. He was a workaholic, exploited his body.

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