1 Response to uo86mecir_wilander

1. Voo de Mar says:

   December 4, 2023 at 2:11 am

   Points won by each set: | 43-48, 33-24, 33-25, 43-40 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   14 % Mecir – 23 of 154
   20 % Wilander – 28 of 135

   Incredible [15] Mecir’s performance in terms of attacking the net for nearly three hours as a server and receiver (he won 50% of points thanks to winners!). The Czechoslovak didn’t dwell on wasted two mini-set points at 5-all before losing a 3/7 tie-breaker. He continued attacking the net almost constantly after his third stroke at latest to keep his opponent at permanent guessing, and this tactic was so efficient that as the 4th set began, the dismantled Wilander [2] decided to implement the serve-and-volley strategy on a regular basis to disrupt the Mecir’s pattern. In vain, Mecir saved five break points at 2-all and five break points again to lead 5:2. Perhaps those two long games (5 and 6 deuces respectively) took its toll, and Wilander easily obtained two successive games, putting himself in front at 40/30 in game no. 10. Then Mecir, facing a game point, showed negative emotions for the first time… only to win the next three points, converting his first match point with a backhand return winner cross-court (Wilander approached the net). The Swede admitted: “He makes you feel you’re playing bad, but he’s just playing too good. It feels like when you’re playing him there’s nothing you can do. He controls your game.” # The following year they face each other on the same court, and Wilander takes his revenge after a match with actually the same amount of points (just a two-point difference), but significantly longer in duration due to Mecir’s involvement in baseline rallies that he basically avoided in 1986.

   Serve & volley: Mecir 18/32, Wilander 10/17

   # Their back-to-back US Open matches on Centre Court:
   Fourth round ’86 (day session): Mecir d. Wilander 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4… 2 hours 50 minutes… Total points: 152-137… Breaks: 9-5
   Quarterfinal ’87 (night session): Wilander d. Mecir 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6… 3 hours 37 minutes… Total points: 158-129… Breaks: 9-7

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