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 major quarterfinals, 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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