Points won by each set: | 31-26, 35-30, 54-52, 51-41 |
Points won directly behind the serve:
35 % Becker – 47 of 132
27 % Lendl – 51 of 188 (!)
Very long 4-setter given the surface (3 hours 47 minutes) and very intriguing in its progress. Just one typically tight set, but in all other sets everything seemed possible until the last point. Becker [8] – as usual – began the match without the proper rhythm and was quickly broken. He trailed *2:4 when managed to win five games in a row. In the 2nd set he saved break points in his opening two service games, and won again a few games in succession (3) to take the set, however, in the last three games a two-point advantage was required. The match seemed over as Becker created a triple break point at 1-all in the 3rd set. Than he began to suffer a nightmare of wasted chances. He squandered five break points in total in that game, and three match points (*6:4, 8:7) in a tie-break which he lost 8/10. The sun was below the horizon and the match had to be suspended. The following day (two short rain interruptions) Lendl [1] appeared with a taped thigh, and his movement forwards was quite limited causing ugly volley errors, nonetheless he was bravely holding. He saved a break point at 1:2, four break points at 2:3 (the longest game, 9 deuces) and another match points at 4:5. Ultimately, on 9th match point, Becker played a forehand passing-shot towards his opponent, and the ball barely landed inside the court. The German played 20 points on serve in the final set, Lendl 71! One year later they face each other in the Wimbledon semifinal again, Becker wins in five sets then, Lendl plays again 56 points more on serve!
Points won by each set: | 31-26, 35-30, 54-52, 51-41 |
Points won directly behind the serve:
35 % Becker – 47 of 132
27 % Lendl – 51 of 188 (!)
Very long 4-setter given the surface (3 hours 47 minutes) and very intriguing in its progress. Just one typically tight set, but in all other sets everything seemed possible until the last point. Becker [8] – as usual – began the match without the proper rhythm and was quickly broken. He trailed *2:4 when managed to win five games in a row. In the 2nd set he saved break points in his opening two service games, and won again a few games in succession (3) to take the set, however, in the last three games a two-point advantage was required. The match seemed over as Becker created a triple break point at 1-all in the 3rd set. Than he began to suffer a nightmare of wasted chances. He squandered five break points in total in that game, and three match points (*6:4, 8:7) in a tie-break which he lost 8/10. The sun was below the horizon and the match had to be suspended. The following day (two short rain interruptions) Lendl [1] appeared with a taped thigh, and his movement forwards was quite limited causing ugly volley errors, nonetheless he was bravely holding. He saved a break point at 1:2, four break points at 2:3 (the longest game, 9 deuces) and another match points at 4:5. Ultimately, on 9th match point, Becker played a forehand passing-shot towards his opponent, and the ball barely landed inside the court. The German played 20 points on serve in the final set, Lendl 71! One year later they face each other in the Wimbledon semifinal again, Becker wins in five sets then, Lendl plays again 56 points more on serve!