Pete the frontrunner

[Matt Riordan]

I've been trying to think of matches where Sampras has had a two sets to love lead and lost. He's lost a few five setters, been pegged back to two all and still won and come back from two down adn won - anyone know of any matches he's lost from two up..?

M

[emcee]

I dunno, but i agree pete is the best front-runner of all time. he could go for his second serve more and...all he had to do was hold serve and break once. I think serve-volleyers in general good front-runners.

[Ballmachine]

The only match that I can remember Pete being up two sets to love and losing, was in Davis Cup play a few years ago against Alex Corretja. Pete was winning easily on grass, and inexplicably lost confidence and the match.

[Anonymous]

Ha! That is also the only match of which I remember. I still cannot comprehend what must have happened. No, I do not want a tape of that match, thank you very much.

[RickN]

Sampras was up 2-1 in sets at the US Open in '94 when he lost to Jaime Yzaga of Peru. Not a total breakdown from 2-0 but still a major letdown.

[Kobble]

All big servers are great front runners on faster surfaces, and Sampras is no exception. All they need is a break let alone two sets to feel comfortable.

[David L]

Originally Posted by Matt Riordan

I've been trying to think of matches where Sampras has had a two sets to love lead and lost. He's lost a few five setters, been pegged back to two all and still won and come back from two down adn won - anyone know of any matches he's lost from two up..?

M

Sampras was 2 sets to love and a break up before losing to Corretja in a Davis Cup home tie match one year.

[kOaMaster]

Originally Posted by David L

Sampras was 2 sets to love and a break up before losing to Corretja in a Davis Cup home tie match one year.

the only five-setter federer lost after 2-0 sets (as far as I remember) was in the davis cup too. conincidence?

[Defcon]

Fed was also up 2-0 and lost to Nalby in the YEC (2005 I think but not sure). I also remember he had an ankle injury at the time.

[tacou]

I dunno about the injury, he was playing on fire first two sets and lost in a 5th set tie break, seemed in pretty good health

[fed_rulz]

Originally Posted by tacou

I dunno about the injury, he was playing on fire first two sets and lost in a 5th set tie break, seemed in pretty good health

fed twisted his ankle during practice and was in crutches just before the tournament. his ankle was heavily strapped during the tournament. He was looking to pull out, but he decided against it due to absence of nadal as well. he did double-bagel gaudio in the RR though

[Polaris]

Originally Posted by tacou

I dunno about the injury, he was playing on fire first two sets and lost in a 5th set tie break, seemed in pretty good health

He wasn't on fire at all. He barely squeaked the first two sets in tiebreaks.

[petetheileet]

plus Nalbandian played outa his skin and was just hitting winners everywhere!!!

[David L]

Originally Posted by tacou

I dunno about the injury, he was playing on fire first two sets and lost in a 5th set tie break, seemed in pretty good health

2005 Masters Cup was Federer's first event for 2 months because he had torn an ankle ligament. A week before the event he was still on crutches, so he was not very fit and said he was pooped after the first two sets.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4455684.stm

[RCizzle65]

I believe in another interview, Federer said his ankle wasn't an issue in the match

[Carsomyr]

Originally Posted by RickN

Sampras was up 2-1 in sets at the US Open in '94 when he lost to Jaime Yzaga of Peru. Not a total breakdown from 2-0 but still a major letdown.

He was up two sets to love against Yzaga in his '88 USO first round loss, too.

[KiNG]

Why isn't this thread in the Former Pro section??? Pete is history, Fed is the all time best.

[Carsomyr]

Matches Pete's lost after being up two sets to love:
1988 US OPEN 1R (vs. Yzaga)
1992 OLYMPICS 2R (vs. Cherkasov)
2002 DAVIS CUP QTRS (vs. Corretja)

Matches Pete's lost after being up two sets to one:
1991 PARIS MASTERS F (vs. Forget)
1993 GRAND SLAM CUP SF (vs. Kafelnikov)
1994 US OPEN 4R (vs. Yzaga)
1995 FRENCH OPEN 2R (vs. Schaller)
1996 STUTTGART MASTERS (vs. Becker)
1998 US OPEN SF (vs. Rafter)
2000 AUSTRALIAN OPEN SF (vs. Agassi)

Grand Slam matches Pete's lost after winning the first set:
1988 US OPEN 1R (vs. Yzaga)
1992 WIMBLEDON SF (vs. Ivanisevic)
1992 US OPEN F (vs. Edberg)
1994 US OPEN 4R (vs. Yzaga)
1995 AUSTRALIAN OPEN F (vs. Agassi)
1997 US OPEN 4R (vs. Korda)
1998 US OPEN SF (vs. Rafter)
2000 FRENCH OPEN 1R (vs. Philippoussis)
2001 AUSTRALIAN OPEN (vs. Martin)
2002 FRENCH OPEN 1R (vs. Gaudenzi)