Stats for 2001 USO final (Hewitt-Sampras)

[krosero]

Hewitt d. Sampras 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1

Sampras had held serve 87 consecutive times until he was broken in the first game of the final.

(Two months earlier at Wimbledon he had finished up a record streak of 118 consecutive holds, extending back to the 2000 Wimbledon).

To get to the final, he’d beaten three U.S. Open champions (Rafter, Agassi and Safin), a first.

Hewitt was 20, Sampras 30.

Sampras had won at least one Slam for 8 straight years (tied with Borg).


Boxscore from the New York Daily News:

HEWITT SAMPRAS
1st Serve percentage 64 60
Aces 7 11
Double Faults 5 6
Unforced Errors 13 38
1st Serve Winning Pct. 84 63
2nd Serve Winning Pct. 50 43
Winners (inc. service) 36 35
Break Points 6-13 1-2
Net Points 8-8 49-98
Total Points Won 100 76
Time of Match 1:54

No disagreements with the ATP stats.


My stats also agree with the ATP:


Hewitt won 100 points overall, Sampras 76.

SERVICE

Hewitt won 55 of 77 points on serve, Sampras 54 of 99.

Hewitt served at 64%, making 49 of 77 first serves.
Sampras served at 60%, making 59 of 99 first serves.

Hewitt’s first-serve percentages by set:
26/38 (68%)
13/19 (68%)
10/20 (50%)

Sampras’ first-serve percentages by set:
24/39 (62%)
21/34 (62%)
14/26 (54%)

Hewitt got his first serve into play on 1 of 2 break points, Sampras on 7 of 13.


Hewitt served 7 aces, 5 doubles.
Sampras served 11 aces, 6 doubles.

Hewitt got 18 return errors from Sampras, of which I judged 3 as service winners.

Sampras got 22 return errors from Hewitt, of which I judged 6 as service winners.

WINNERS

Hewitt had 26 clean winners: 9 FH, 15 BH, 2 FH.

Sampras had 19 clean winners: 3 FH, 2 BH, 2 FHV, 8 BHV, 4 overheads.

Hewitt's winners by set: 6, 10, 10
Sampras' winners by set: 9, 5, 5

Hewitt made 7 return winners (including 6 BH’s). All of them were passes, and he had 15 other passes (including 9 BH's).

Sampras made one FH return winner. He had no pass winners of any kind.

ERRORS

Subtracting the winners and aces from the total points won to get the errors (forced and unforced):

Hewitt made 46 errors. Of those I counted 22 return errors and 5 double-faults.

Sampras made 67 errors. Of those I counted 18 return errors and 6 double-faults.

So in all the exchanges that had at least a successful return of serve, Hewitt made 19 errors, Sampras 43.

[krosero]

Federer d. Hewitt 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0

The stats at USO.org agree with the ATP stats and have a few additional categories:

Federer made 26 unforced errors, Hewitt 23.

Federer had 40 winners (Including Service), Hewitt 12.

Federer won 31 of 35 Net Approaches, Hewitt 13 of 22.


My stats also agree with the ATP's, except that I gave Federer 1 less ace:

Federer won 100 points overall, Hewitt 64.

Federer won 60 of 89 points on serve, Hewitt 35 of 75.

Federer served at 55%, making 49 of 89 first serves.
Hewitt served at 55%, making 41 of 75 first serves.

Federer served 14 more points than Hewitt, partly because when serving for a two-set lead he was broken in a game that lasted 18 points, and partly because Hewitt was broken easily at times.

Federer’s service percentage by set:
9/14 (64%)
28/57 (49%)
12/18 (67%)

Hewitt’s service percentage by set:
6/15 (40%)
24/39 (62%)
11/21 (52%)

Federer converted 7 of 13 break points, Hewitt 1 of 6.

Federer got his first serve into play on 2 of 6 break points; he was broken that one time on second serve.

Hewitt got his first serve into play on 8 of 13 break points; he was broken 3 times on first serve and 4 times on second.


Federer served 10 aces and 1 double.

Hewitt served 1 ace and 5 doubles (two of the doubles on break point).


Federer drew 13 return errors; of those I gave him 3 service winners.

Hewitt also drew 13 return errors; of those I gave him 1 service winner.


WINNERS

Federer had 26 clean winners: 15 FH, 1 BH, 4 FHV, 1 BHV, 5 OH.

Hewitt had 9 clean winners: 4 FH, 4 BH, 1 FHV.

Federer hit a FH return winner off a first serve. It was not a pass but he had one BH pass.

Hewitt hit no return winners, and 2 BH passes.


ERRORS

Subtracting the winners and aces from the total points won to get the errors (forced and unforced):

Federer made 54 errors. Of those I counted 13 return errors and 5 double-faults.

Hewitt made 64 errors. Of those I counted 13 return errors and 1 double-fault.

So in all the exchanges that had at least a successful return of serve, Federer made 36 errors, Hewitt 50.

[abmk]

Just watched the USO 2001 final again. Some absolutely fantastic,mindblowing returning/passing from hewitt . Perhaps the finest returning/passing shots clinic I've seen ! sampras wasn't playing badly at all , he was serving well, didn't miss many easy shots, but lleyton made him play low volleys time and again and passed him repeatedly at will. Truly a great performance ! I had "forgotten" lleyton was this good !

[krosero]

Sampras wrote in his book that Hewitt was one of the few guys who could resist a good attacker, and that he "liked having a target, but in his era guys stopped coming to the net. Hewitt was a victim of his time."

[eric draven]

I remember watching this match and I remember thinking that Hewitt's returns were outstanding. Sampras was defenitely fatigued and he even admitted when he lost the first set he could "feel it slipping away." Hewitt was also the fastest human being with a tennis racquet at the time and he played some great defense. My feeling was that he was an improved version of Michael Chang, someone with incredible speed but had more size and power to complement his game.

[shakes1975]

Hewitt proved that, against Sampras the serve & volleyer (post-1997), Agassi was NOT the best returner.

Agassi tried to be too aggressive on the return. But because Sampras had too much pace, he had to guess a lot. So he hit a lot of flashy return winners, but he also got aced a lot.

Hewitt and Fed, OTOH, got back a lot of serves, and very often got them low, forcing Sampras to volley up, and then used their quickness to hit the pass.

Hewitt is a s/v'ers nightmare. Considering, at his peak, how well he returned Sampras' serve, I think he would have feasted on the other s/v'ers of pre-Sampras' era, like Becker, Stich, Edberg etc.

[urban]

Indeed, while Agassi tried to hit his returns flat and mostly down the line, and overhit his returns often, Hewitt played more cross court returns, with spin, and keeping the ball low into the incomers feet. Sampras had to volley up, what he didn't like. On the other hand, Agassi did astonishing well against all other serve and volleyers of his day, including Becker and Stich. I saw a comebacking, past prime Becker 2000 at Wimbledon totally dismantling Hewitt, keeping the ball low with nice deep approaches, and giving Hewitt no room for returns and passings.

[quest01]

I have this match and Sampras played awful except for most of the first set. Sampras's forehand was very inconsistent and so was his backhand. He played so well against Rafter, Agassi, and Safin that he was his former self against Hewitt. Hewitt played well though he hit some nice passing shots and actually Sampras took Hewitt out in the 2000 US Open semi's but in this final he was awful, he was so inconsistent.

[Datacipher]

Originally Posted by quest01

I have this match and Sampras played awful except for most of the first set. Sampras's forehand was very inconsistent and so was his backhand. He played so well against Rafter, Agassi, and Safin that he was his former self against Hewitt. Hewitt played well though he hit some nice passing shots. Actually Sampras took Hewitt out in the 2000 US Open semi's but in this final he was awful, he was so inconsistent.

Correct. NO idea what ABMK thinks he saw. Sampras was VERY flat compared to his spectacular performances against the players you mentioned. I don't think he likes to acknowledge it, but clearly he was a couple steps slow and fatigued. And NO, he did not serve "well" by his standards, he had lost a crucial bit of sting off his serve. Note that, in addition to Agassi, Safin was one of the best returners of Sampras' serve, and Sampras beat him down handily. (and this was not the I'm going to lose in the 1st round and party Safin, Safin was looking to win that year) Hewitt played a fantastic match, but quite frankly, Sampras being 10% off, is what allowed him to do that.

[grafselesfan]

Well 2001 Safin wasnt that good, he wasnt having a good year and he really didnt look in form even at that US Open. 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005 (before his injury) Safin was much better than 2001. That being said I agree Sampras was in amazing form until the final and simply gassed out completely. He was serving 20 mph slower at times it seemed, and he as a big step slower.

[grafselesfan]

Originally Posted by urban

Indeed, while Agassi tried to hit his returns flat and mostly down the line, and overhit his returns often, Hewitt played more cross court returns, with spin, and keeping the ball low into the incomers feet. Sampras had to volley up, what he didn't like. On the other hand, Agassi did astonishing well against all other serve and volleyers of his day, including Becker and Stich. I saw a comebacking, past prime Becker 2000 at Wimbledon totally dismantling Hewitt, keeping the ball low with nice deep approaches, and giving Hewitt no room for returns and passings.

I thought Hewitt and Becker played at Wimbledon 1999, not 2000?

[Bruguera]

Sampras looked alright in the 1st set I thought.. From there after though he looked awful.. Though Hewitt played well. You know that killer draw Pete had that year with Rafter, Andre, Safin, (especially the classic he had with Andre with the 4 set TB's) definitely got him by the final though.


But Hewitt did play very well. Maybe his best tennis arguably or close to it. Certainly better than he looked compared to now.


At the end of the day HEwitt won over a gassed older Sampras who had a ridiculous tough draw consisting of all former USO champs. Im sure if Pete had the cakewalk, (at least an easier draw) he would have been fine for the final much like he was the year after he went out winning. But he was 30 years old at the time.. The draw Pete went through there, hell a young fresh stud would be gasping for air.

Could u imagine seeing Rafter (2 time slam USO champ), Agassi (top 12-15 of all time with career slam on hardcourts playing some of his best tennis), and Safin (the defending champ), then red hot close to his peak Hewitt all in a row? That would seriously SUCK!!


Truth be told, that would be a tall order for any great at their absolute peak.. Much less an aging great at 30 years old on the final run of his career

[nfor304]

I remember watching that match and being floored by Hewitt actually winning. Hewitt had been under performing at Slams and Masters events and for a while it seemed doubtful that he would have the goods to win a slam.

[abmk]

Sampras was certainly a bit off when compared to his previous performances, but he wasn't playing that badly . It was hewitt zoning in that lead to the scores in the final 2 sets being what they were . He committed just 3 UF in the final 2 sets in comparision to 10 in the first . Sampras wasn't playing great in the first set just as he wasn't in the 2nd and 3rd ...

The games in which sampras was broken in both the sets were long ones,he saved quite a few BPs with his serving; he wasn't serving badly, even by his standards ...

Anyone has the stats for the average serving speeds of sampras in this match by set and the agassi one for comparision ????

[Moose Malloy]

vs Hewitt at '01 USO, Sampras averaged 110 on 1st serve, 95 on 2nd

vs Hewitt at '00 USO averaged 117 on 1st, 103 on 2nd

vs Safin at '01 USO averaged 116 on 1st, 102 on 2nd

vs Agassi at '01 USO averaged 115 on 1st, 105 on 2nd

http://web.archive.org/web/200201241...ww.usopen.org/

[abmk]

Moose Malloy:

Thanks for those stats. webarchive is a fantastic site, but on some pages it gives a data retrieval failure or page not found error.

Sampras was indeed serving slower than what you'd expect from him. But his placement and accuracy was fine from what I saw . Not a bad serving day by any means ..

[abmk]

Here is an interesting report on the match, I'll just post some of the important parts

................


Putting on possibly the most impressive display of returning of serving seen during the Open era, Hewitt consistently took Sampras best shots and either cracked them at the American's feet, or whipped them past his outstretched foe.

Sampras came into the match having won 87 straight service games but Hewitt broke him in the opening game of the first set and from then on, constantly put the serving god Sampras under pressure. Sampras, who knocked off former U.S. Open champions Patrick Rafter, Andre Agassi and Marat Safin to get here, was awestruck.

"He returned and passed as well as anyone I think I've ever played," said Sampras of Hewitt, who only committed 13 unforced errors and won 57 percent of Sampras' second serve points. "The reason why I wasn't' quite as sharp was because of the way he was returning, passing. He made me play. I was hitting low volleys. The harder I served, the more I put into it, the better he returned. He's got the best return in the game, the best wheels in the game. He now possesses a much better serve. He's a great player. You'll see him contending here for the next 10 years."

Sampras tried to batter Hewitt with the same super-aggressive strategy that he successfully employed against Agassi et al, but his balls landed a little short and Hewitt always seemed to be reading where he was going with his approach shots.

""The times I was aggressive he came up with great shots," said Sampras, who only won 50 percent of his net approaches. "But I felt fresh. I could have played all night if I had to. But he loves playing a target, against guys that come in a lot. He uses his quickness to his advantage. It seemed like everything I tried didn't work."

Amazingly, Sampras said that Hewitt is a better return of server than Agassi, even though Agassi is considered by many to be the best returner of all time.

"He's quicker," Sampras said. "Maybe he doesn't have the power, but he doesn't miss. He's very tough to ace. He's got the hands and the feet. It's really impressive stuff."

The 5-foot-11 Hewitt took that as a huge compliment and said that when he was a slight junior playing against older, taller and stronger foes, he needed to develop that weapon.

"I've had to work on little areas of my game to be able to counterpunch those guys," Hewitt said. "The return of serve is something I've worked on since I was nine or 10 playing in four to three year age groups against the bigger guys, I've always been a big returner."

.......................

http://web.archive.org/web/200201271...30009012f.html

The italicised part is interesting though, he certainly didn't seem to be at his freshest, although not as 'tired'/'fatigued' like JCF in USO 2003 F or safin in AO 2004 F

[Bengt]

Originally Posted by krosero

Sampras wrote in his book that Hewitt was one of the few guys who could resist a good attacker, and that he "liked having a target, but in his era guys stopped coming to the net. Hewitt was a victim of his time."

He was also came around at precisely the right time. That is while Sampras, Agassi, and Kuerton amongst others, were on the decline due to age or injuries and prior to the rise of Federer and Nadal. Remember Hewitt vs. Nalbandian in the Wimby final? Has there been a more disappointing pairing? 2001- 2004 was an interesting period, for sure.

[dh003i]

Hewitt certainly played great, but anyone who thinks that Sampras was playing his best is wrong.

Take them both in their prime, and match them up against each-other, Sampras is winning everywhere except the FO 8 times out of 10. And the times he wouldn't win would probably be at the AO.

[krosero]

In the tiebreak Hewitt made 5 of 6 first serves (and won all 5). Sampras made 4 of 5.