The gutsiest performance ever(Sampras-Corretja)

[jakemcclain32]

I wrote about this in passing in my latest blog. Figured I'd relive this for everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thBlp...eature=related

[dingo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sua__p9kVtA&NR=1

[Tshooter]

It was among the most electric courtside atmospheres of any US Open match I've seen. And I've seen thousands (I kid you not).

The fifth set was more exciting than any set of the Sampras-Agassi QF and that match was a very exciting atmosphere.

[Datacipher]

It should be noted that Corretja was also unbelievable. He did not choke, he did not overplay even though he knew Sampras was in severe distress. He did not underplay. He kept hitting the ball solidly, he was aggressive when he had the chance, even coming in. And after such a bitter loss, he was extremely classy in the post-match interviews.

[fed_rulz]

Originally Posted by Datacipher

It should be noted that Corretja was also unbelievable. He did not choke, he did not overplay even though he knew Sampras was in severe distress. He did not underplay. He kept hitting the ball solidly, he was aggressive when he had the chance, even coming in. And after such a bitter loss, he was extremely classy in the post-match interviews.

didn't the match end with a DF from Corretja?
Also, Corretja choked to blow the first set after serving for it.. i think he was 40-0 up too?

[BrooklynNY]

He may have buckled, but I wouldn't call it a choke. Both players had chances and he just didn't come through.
Corretja played great. I remember this match and ever since then I had such a high level of respect. He really could adjust his game to the quicker hardcourts(especially back then) and really played aggressively. I was pulling for him in the French final.

He hits a lot of great shots, shows his variety. This match is one of my favorites of all time.

[Datacipher]

Originally Posted by BrooklynNY

He may have buckled, but I wouldn't call it a choke..

Yes, I couldn't even call that a buckle. He had been so solid, even through the final tiebreak with the crowd going wild. Given his play immediately before.
I tend to think of that DF as a one-off "random" occurrence, which of course, simply happens throughout a match.

[Tshooter]

It was one of the gutsiest if not the gutsiest performances ever.

I wasn't a Sampras fan (I was rooting for Corretja and I was a few feet from the Sampras "crew" as well as the old farts (Champions box) who were almost uniformly for Sampras. But after that match I became a fan. Sampras threw up just to the side of me. Never saw that from the #1 before. When he turned around to face his coach (and away from the TV camera) you could see he looked ill. I don't know how he played threw that one. It was just a huge performance.

[Tagg]

this is why it enrages me when people say corretja was a fluke winner of the Year End Championship

the man could play on fast surfaces, he was not just a claycourt grinder. same for moya, he was solid on slower hardcourts (more time for that big forehand)

shame that corretja never won the french though

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by jakemcclain32

I wrote about this in passing in my latest blog. Figured I'd relive this for everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thBlp...eature=related

I would nominate two other performances as well,

1) 1963 Wembley Semifinal....Hoad df. Buchholz in five set after pulling thigh muscle

2) Newcombe loses to Rosewall after Rosewall sprains ankle

[millicurie999]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

I would nominate two other performances as well,

1) 1963 Wembley Semifinal....Hoad df. Buchholz in five set after pulling thigh muscle

2) Newcombe loses to Rosewall after Rosewall sprains ankle

Michael Chang vs Lendl (FO 1989) where Chang, cramping badly, stood near the service line to receive Lendl's serve on match point. Lendl double-faulted.

[Relinquis]

Awesome match.

Higher quality version of Sampras Vs. Corretja USO 1996

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgdAS-bISIk

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvxjjfCGvA

[NLBwell]

Yes, if taken literally.

[BobbyOne]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

I would nominate two other performances as well,

1) 1963 Wembley Semifinal....Hoad df. Buchholz in five set after pulling thigh muscle

2) Newcombe loses to Rosewall after Rosewall sprains ankle

Dan, the second match was the 1972 Hilton Head tournament's final (Rosewall won 7-5,6-3) but I'm not sure if Rosewall really sprained an ankle. He stepped on a nail...

[Mustard]

I think the gutsiest performance was Muster beating Gaudenzi at 1995 Monte Carlo while suffering from severe exhaustion due to what turned out to be a very low blood sugar level. The next day, after spending the night in hospital on a drip, Muster came back and won the title in 5 sets after saving championship points against Becker and winning 6-0 in the fifth set.

[rufus_smith]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

Yes, if taken literally.

nice one