2 Responses to wb06bjorkman_stepanek

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 19, 2025 at 8:23 pm

   Points won by each set: | 44-39, 25-31, 41-44, 42-39, 28-22 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   27 % Bjorkman – 49 of 176
   39 % Stepanek – 70 of 179

   It was a unique quarterfinal at Wimbledon in the second half of the 00s given the frequency of net-attacks typical for the 90s – Stepanek [13] applied a classical serve-and-volley style while Bjorkman [59] kept his opponent guessing, mixing the S&V actions with net-rushing behind either forehand or backhand top-spin shots, sporadically preferring baseline rallies. The tactical versatility prevailed in the end after one of the tightest Wimbledon quarterfinals in history. Initially it’d be tough to expect such a tight scoreline because the Swedish veteran led 4:1* (30/0) after two stunning forehand passing-shots. Stepanek broke back, yet lost the tie-break 3/7. In the 2nd set he led 4:1* before winning the set thanks to breaking at 5:4. In the 3rd set Bjorkman lost his serve at 2-all but broke back immediately, this time in the tie-break the Czech was better (7/5). The 4th set was pretty straightforward until Stepanek led 5:3* thanks to a break in game no. 3. He’s six years younger, serving bigger, moving faster, probably not too many spectators thought he’d lose this match. Nerves overwhelmed him though as he was serving at 5:4 for the biggest win of his life – he committed three double faults within six points. Nevertheless he had his chance again in the third tie-break as he created a match point to lead 6:5 – this time he was too tentative, and lost a 14-stroke rally (backhand error), the longest one in the contest. Bjorkman, having won the tie-break 9/7, took the first two games of the decider easily. Until the end of the 4th set Stepanek had been exceptionally animated, making bizarre semi scissor-jumps after winning points, but as the decider kicked off, he lost his good mood. He managed to improve from *1:3 to 4:3, yet the last three games belonged to the 34-year-old Bjorkman.

   # Comparison of Wimbledon quarterfinals with similar scorelines (both on court no. 1):
   1996: Washington d. Radulescu 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4… 3 hours 31 minutes… Total points: 186-184
   2006: Bjorkman d. Stepanek 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4… 4 hours 3 minutes… Total points: 180-175

   • 4th set match points saved in both cases

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   September 19, 2025 at 8:58 pm

   ☆ Štěpanek continued his career until 2017, but never reached a Slam quarterfinal again (only three fourth rounds)

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