1 Response to rg98safin_agassi

1. Voo de Mar says:

   January 14, 2021 at 6:15 pm

   Points won by each set: | 48-53, 39-35, 26-13, 31-38, 33-23 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   24 % Safin – 40 of 165
   18 % Agassi – 32 of 174

   The birth of a new star, on Suzanne Lenglen. The 18-year-old Safin [116, qualifier] became the first player born in the 80s to win a match of this magnitude. He displayed a few things which allowed to see him as a great player in the future: not dwelling on wasted chances (led *4:2, had break points at 4:3, and 5:4 30-all in the opener), big serving, fantastic backhand and sensational movement on the baseline given his height (193 cm), unseen before with so tall players. But there was also a glimpse of his potential at the net when he won a game to lead 5:2 in the 3rd set with stop-volley winners off both wings. Agassi [20] had some issues with his right shoulder. # Six years later they play another five-set major match. Following his victory over Agassi, Safin defeated the defending champion Kuerten on Centre Court, in five sets too (2 hours 45 minutes).

   # Comparison of their two five-setters:
   French Open ’98 (1R): Safin d. Agassi 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2… 3 hours 10 minutes… Total points: 177-162… Breaks: 8-6
   Aussie Open ’04 (SF): Safin d. Agassi 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 1-6, 6-3… 3 hours 42 minutes… Total points: 170-171… Breaks: 2-4

   Log in to Reply