Chris & Hana

[BTURNER]

Two matches showcased on You-tube
the US Open semi of 85. Often when Evert looses a semi, you can sense she is little flat or tight. This time she played well but Hana brought her 'A' game and mindset. There just weren't periodic lapses Chris was used to exploiting between the brilliant play. Chris mentioned Hana's serving as especially deceptive and smart after this match. Of Course Mandlikova beat Martina to win her only Open title.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYS3OlWYBR0

Semi in Key Biscayne in 87. You may remember this event as the one that starred Steffi, who routined Martina and Evert to win. The last of three people to beat both women in the same tournement when they were the top two players in the world. Austin at the Open was the first. The event mentioned earlier in my post was the second. The real celebrity in this match was the Florida winds which made for an error prone first set. BJK says here that Evert plays better in wind and reads it better than anyone. Lobs, once they started landing in, never stopped and Hana was crushed 6-0 in the second. both matches are in 2 parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi4m9rrkSQw

[BTURNER]

Here is a third. The complete one hour 40 minute '86 Wimbledon semifinal . this may be one of their cleaner matches. There was no stats offered whatsoever, but my impression is of a match with more winners than errors by both. After Evert looses the first, she gains a 5- 2 lead in the second and looses 15 straight points, or more accurately Hana blazes winners all over the place with only two loose points points by Chris to aide her.

There are some technical problems with the video. At first the court is a pretty red color which is however unbecoming on English grass. There is also a tracking disparity which makes you choose between muting Maskell and Ann Jones or tolerating the discrepancy. Its still worth it. Who knows when it will be taen down They both played really well with chris volleying as well and frequently as I have seen. All to no avail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TrmqFL2_8w

[jrepac]

Originally Posted by BTURNER

Here is a third. The complete one hour 40 minute '86 Wimbledon semifinal . this may be one of their cleaner matches. There was no stats offered whatsoever, but my impression is of a match with more winners than errors by both. After Evert looses the first, she gains a 5- 2 lead in the second and looses 15 straight points, or more accurately Hana blazes winners all over the place with only two loose points points by Chris to aide her.

There are some technical problems with the video. At first the court is a pretty red color which is however unbecoming on English grass. There is also a tracking disparity which makes you choose between muting Maskell and Ann Jones or tolerating the discrepancy. Its still worth it. Who knows when it will be taen down They both played really well with chris volleying as well and frequently as I have seen. All to no avail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TrmqFL2_8w

It was really disappointing to see Chris lose that match....still, when Hana was "on" she was amazing and could make even Martina look bad. She was the McEnroe of the ladies....

[suwanee4712]

The 1986 Wimbledon match is the type of match frequently played between the two. On some days Chris wins that match 6-2 6-2. On others like this day Hana is concentrating well enough to hang in there mentally until she can get into the match. That's just a reminder of how Hana always walked a very fine line in her tennis. As with the 1986 French quarter with Steffi, Hana seemed out of it at times but was only missing by a little. When her shots started going in, Hana controlled the outcome.

The 15 point streak by Hana was won almost entirely on aces, volley winners, and cold winners from the baseline. This demoralized Chris who had to fight through a grueling draw: Jordan to Sukova to Mandlikova. This, after having a similar draw at the French a few weeks earlier: Sabatini to Bassett to Mandlikova to Martina. Rotten draws for Chris but she fought through a lot of matches until she ran out of steam. Great effort by Chris.

Spectacular win by Hana whose game was like a flying trapeze artist without a net. Shakespearean almost - great drama, sometimes a tragedy as was the case in the final where she played well enough to win but didn't. It cost her a spot in the upper realm of tennis royalty.

[BTURNER]

Originally Posted by suwanee4712

The 1986 Wimbledon match is the type of match frequently played between the two. On some days Chris wins that match 6-2 6-2. On others like this day Hana is concentrating well enough to hang in there mentally until she can get into the match. That's just a reminder of how Hana always walked a very fine line in her tennis. As with the 1986 French quarter with Steffi, Hana seemed out of it at times but was only missing by a little. When her shots started going in, Hana controlled the outcome.

The 15 point streak by Hana was won almost entirely on aces, volley winners, and cold winners from the baseline. This demoralized Chris who had to fight through a grueling draw: Jordan to Sukova to Mandlikova. This, after having a similar draw at the French a few weeks earlier: Sabatini to Bassett to Mandlikova to Martina. Rotten draws for Chris but she fought through a lot of matches until she ran out of steam. Great effort by Chris.

Spectacular win by Hana whose game was like a flying trapeze artist without a net. Shakespearean almost - great drama, sometimes a tragedy as was the case in the final where she played well enough to win but didn't. It cost her a spot in the upper realm of tennis royalty.

Evert at this stage, had only missed one semi-final appointment in a major in her career (83' wimbledon). What amazes me, is that even with those kinds of draws on the grass of Australia and Wimbledon, she never did have a second 'oops' on a grass major.

Hana played the cleanest tennis I have seen from her in this match. Evert makes anyone hit a lot of balls but Hana was so mentally tough throughout. She was hitting those groundies and approaches really hard and deep.

Tactically, I think Evert erred in not getting her lob grooved early enough as she often did with Martina on grass, anticipating a third set. Otherwise, I can''t find fault with Evert's play.

[kiki]

Hana had a first big win over Evert in the 1981 FO.

[kiki]

No win Hana ever scored over Chris can overshadow the 1981 landslide at Wimbledon.I was supporting Hana at the same time I was admiring Evert´s nerve and will to win.And her grace.

[BTURNER]

Originally Posted by kiki

No win Hana ever scored over Chris can overshadow the 1981 landslide at Wimbledon.I was supporting Hana at the same time I was admiring Evert´s nerve and will to win.And her grace.

Evert came out unusually determined having gone so long without winning Wimbledon. As for Hana, she was a wreck of errors in that one. She just wasn't the same player who got to the final. Evert kept the ball in play and passed well and Hana just... didn't.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by BTURNER

Evert came out unusually determined having gone so long without winning Wimbledon. As for Hana, she was a wreck of errors in that one. She just wasn't the same player who got to the final. Evert kept the ball in play and passed well and Hana just... didn't.

A month before, Hana had defeated Chris at the FO semis.Evert didn´t want to go through this again.Mind you, she was still aware of the 1979-1980 period, when Tracy Austin led her in their H2H.

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by kiki

A month before, Hana had defeated Chris at the FO semis.Evert didn´t want to go through this again.Mind you, she was still aware of the 1979-1980 period, when Tracy Austin led her in their H2H.

1981 wimbledon final: Virginia Wade commentating for the BBC said that the worse thing you could do was to beat evert as mandlikova had at the French recently, because she just came back stronger the next time. I guess wade wd know!

[BTURNER]

Originally Posted by PDJ

1981 wimbledon final: Virginia Wade commentating for the BBC said that the worse thing you could do was to beat evert as mandlikova had at the French recently, because she just came back stronger the next time. I guess wade wd know!

She sure should, after Martina, she has by far the most professional match experience playing Evert. She played her 46 times ( including Wightman and fed cup). Wade lost 40 of them for one of the worst records, percentage wise, I can find. Yes there are many many people who never beat Chris, but they were lower ranked and did not play her 46 times. Evert won the first 6 sets they ever played before '73 before Wade beat her in '73. directly thereafter, Virginia gave her a spanking in at Nottingham 6-1, 6-2. Evert lost one set in the next 9 matches. Of course there is the one famous loss in the Wimbledon semis of '77. The Floridian followed that up with 18 consecutive until Virginia retired. Wade must have truly dreaded seeing her in her draw.

[NadalAgassi]

Wade leads Barker 9-6 in head to head I believe. Barker had won all 3 of her meetings with Wade in 1977 going into Wimbledon, and Wade said she was relieved when Stove took out Barker in the 2nd semifinal that year. What a blown opportunity for Barker. Navratilova and Evert both being taken out for her, and a great head to head with Wade on the year. She would never have another chance like that again.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

Wade leads Barker 9-6 in head to head I believe. Barker had won all 3 of her meetings with Wade in 1977 going into Wimbledon, and Wade said she was relieved when Stove took out Barker in the 2nd semifinal that year. What a blown opportunity for Barker. Navratilova and Evert both being taken out for her, and a great head to head with Wade on the year. She would never have another chance like that again.

And what a lost opportunity for England too! I wonder when was last time 2 brits played in a major final, men or women or in the middle of both!

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by kiki

And what a lost opportunity for England too! I wonder when was last time 2 brits played in a major final, men or women or in the middle of both!

That's an interesting question! With the men I imagine it might be Perry/bunny austin? With the women, possibly the Mortimer/trueman/jones/wade eras. But I shall have fun looking it up! Cheers

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by kiki

And what a lost opportunity for England too! I wonder when was last time 2 brits played in a major final, men or women or in the middle of both!

I'll check for semi appearances, but I'm pretty sure, off the top of my head, that the 1961 Mortimer/trueman Wimbledon final was the last major played by brits. Aside, my mother adored Christine Trueman.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by PDJ

I'll check for semi appearances, but I'm pretty sure, off the top of my head, that the 1961 Mortimer/trueman Wimbledon final was the last major played by brits. Aside, my mother adored Christine Trueman.

Good one, did Ann Jones and Wade play a major final?

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by kiki

Good one, did Ann Jones and Wade play a major final?

I'm pretty sure they didn't, but they might have reached semis- ie when wade won US in 1968 but I'd have to check

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by kiki

And what a lost opportunity for England too! I wonder when was last time 2 brits played in a major final, men or women or in the middle of both!

Kiki- I've only gone back to 1945, post WW2:
British Women
French 1956: Mortimer reached final. Angela Buxton semi. Both lost to Gibson
French 1957: Shirley bloomer won. Ann jones lost in semi to Head Knode.
French 1963: jones reached final, trueman the semi. Both lost to turner.
Nothing since.
I'll check the other slams.

[PDJ]

Originally Posted by PDJ

Kiki- I've only gone back to 1945, post WW2:
British Women
French 1956: Mortimer reached final. Angela Buxton semi. Both lost to Gibson
French 1957: Shirley bloomer won. Ann jones lost in semi to Head Knode.
French 1963: jones reached final, trueman the semi. Both lost to turner.
Nothing since.
I'll check the other slams.

2 British women competing in semis of slam:
Wimbledon
1956: Buxton beat Pat Ward, lost final to Shirley Fry
1960: jones & trueman both reached semis before losing.
1961: Mortimer won final over Trueman
1977: Wade won, Barker lost semi to r/up Stove

US- this is by far the best showing by multiple Brits reaching semi or better. Who'd have known!
1959: Trueman beat Jones in semi, lost final to Bueno
1961: Jones beat Mortimer in semi, losing final to Hard
1963: Deirdre Catt & Jones both lost in semi.
1968: Wade beat Jones in semi, winning title over BJK.

Australian
I can find no occasion post 1945 where 2 Brits reached the semi in same year.

NB there are quite a few occasions where a third British woman reached the quarters when 2 others went at least 1 round better.

What I found particularly interesting was how consistent Ann Jones was over her long, and definitely distinguished career. Kudos to her- & I believe deserves a thread!
Best. Paul

[kiki]

Originally Posted by PDJ

2 British women competing in semis of slam:
Wimbledon
1956: Buxton beat Pat Ward, lost final to Shirley Fry
1960: jones & trueman both reached semis before losing.
1961: Mortimer won final over Trueman
1977: Wade won, Barker lost semi to r/up Stove

US- this is by far the best showing by multiple Brits reaching semi or better. Who'd have known!
1959: Trueman beat Jones in semi, lost final to Bueno
1961: Jones beat Mortimer in semi, losing final to Hard
1963: Deirdre Catt & Jones both lost in semi.
1968: Wade beat Jones in semi, winning title over BJK.

Australian
I can find no occasion post 1945 where 2 Brits reached the semi in same year.

NB there are quite a few occasions where a third British woman reached the quarters when 2 others went at least 1 round better.

What I found particularly interesting was how consistent Ann Jones was over her long, and definitely distinguished career. Kudos to her- & I believe deserves a thread!
Best. Paul

True, she was a great champion and the best in the world for years behind the unmatchable trio of Court,Bueno and King Moffit.I think the second half of the 60´s, with Jones, old Mortimer and Truman and emergent Wade were excellent for british tennis, too.

As for men, other than Murray and Henman, one has to dig deep inside the 70´s, with a very good foursome (Taylor,Cox,LLoyd and Mottram) even if they were unable to win a major title.Of those 4, IMO Mark Cox was the better player.He was a clear underachiever, while Taylor achieved a lot more with a lesser game.