1 Response to sj97sampras_rusedski

1. Voo de Mar says:

   February 1, 2023 at 2:58 pm

   Points won by each set: | 20-31, 23:7… |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   38 % Sampras – 16 of 42
   30 % Rusedski – 12 of 39

   Two great servers, indoors, a tie-break in the 1st set was expected, but trailing 3:4, Sampras [1] was unexpectedly broken as Rusedski’s [39] forehand passing-shot caught the edge of the sideline. Another surprising break came at 1:0 for the American in the 2nd set as he played two terrific backhands in a row – prior to that game Rusedski was unbroken in his previous 18 sets. The 4th game of the set brought an anticlimactic outcome. Rusedski felt severe pain in his left wrist after another powerful serve, and as he netted forehand on break point he dropped his racquet – required an immediate treatment. It didn’t help and he understood that without his biggest weapon, he had no chance against the best player in the world. He trailed 0/30 in game no. 6 when decided to quit. “I guess we’ll never know what would have happened until we meet next time,” the runner-up said. The injury was underestimated by Rusedski – he played another indoor events with the pain and needed to stop practising in April to heal the wrist.

   Sampras’ route to his 46th title:
   1 Alex Radulescu 7-6(3), 6-3
   2 Justin Gimelstob 6-2, 6-3
   Q Chris Woodruff 6-2, 6-3
   S Todd Martin 6-2, 6-3
   W Greg Rusedski 3-6, 5-0 ret.

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