1 Response to uo00safin_kiefer

1. Voo de Mar says:

   August 29, 2024 at 5:29 pm

   Points won by each set: | 42-36, 31-34, 40-38, 39-30 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   42 % Safin – 53 of 124
   25 % Kiefer – 43 of 166

   A match of wasted opportunities for Kiefer [14], at two different levels: he led 5:2* in 1st and *5:3 in 3rd set being two points away from winning both sets (the tie-break he lost 5/7); on the second, deeper level, it was his fourth defeat in a major quarterfinal, and he lost his status of an elite player following that match (he had had this aura in the years 1999-2000). The 23-year-old German waited more than five years – following the loss to Safin [7] – to play another major quarterfinal, which he won – the longest win of his career… The longest defeat he suffered to Safin; two years after their US Open quarterfinal they met in the 1R on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the Russian prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) after 4 hours 32 minutes, saving a mini-match point at 5-all in the decider. Ultimately their rivalry won Kiefer 4-3, obtaining wins in their last three meetings.

   Serve & volley: Safin 1/1, Kiefer 12/21

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