1 Response to uo89krickstein_berger

1. Voo de Mar says:

   January 6, 2024 at 5:12 am

   Points won by each set: | 30-36, 36-29, 37-26, 6:0… |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   22 % Krickstein – 22 of 103
   14 % Berger – 14 of 97

   Two American Jews, peers (Krickstein a half years younger), both playing in very similar style (albeit Berger more eager to attack the net), both possessing quite peculiar service technique, and both with heavily taped knees (Berger’s right, Krickstein’s left). It seemed like a long affair in the afternoon because the rallies were long and punishing as they traded the opening two sets. First vital moment came at 3-all in the 2nd set when Berger [13] committed three double faults within six points not risking his second serves. At the beginning of the 3rd set he showed first signs of problems with his thighs, nevertheless he was still normally running. As Krickstein [16] led *3:2 (15/30), Berger was chasing the ball from corner to corner, made an error and his cramps were evident. He didn’t want to play another point, received a warning. At the time players suffering cramps couldn’t take a medical time-out. Berger was continuing just walking instead of running, two breaks for sitting between changeovers didn’t help. Krickstein won 17 successive points, 5 of them were aces within 9 points on serve. Berger realised he had no chance against a five-set specialist, and decided to retire trailing 0:1* (0/30) in the 4th set. It was his second major quarterfinal (at French Open ’89 he lost to Becker), he couldn’t reach this stage afterwards, and finished his career 1.5 years later due to chronic knee problems.

   Serve & volley: Krickstein 0, Berger 9/12

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