5 set matches where the winner never loses serve?

Moose Malloy · Jun 17, 2007

I can't think of too many, anyone know of any others?

Sampras d Korda, '97 Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 6-7(10) 6-7(1) 6-4

Becker d Stich, '93 Wimbledon 7-5 6-7(5) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4

Becker d Pioline, '95 Wimbledon 6-3 6-1 6-7(6) 6-7(10) 9-7

Agassi d Martin, '99 US Open Final 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Agassi is the only player to win a 5 set match in a slam final & not lose serve.

Some others I came across:

Gumy d Hrbaty '97 US Open

Norman d Nestor '98 US Open

mellofelow · Jun 17, 2007

Good trivia. On the contrary, I can't recall who but years ago, I remember someone lost a match without losing serve.

OrangeOne · Jun 17, 2007

mellofelow said:
Good trivia. On the contrary, I can't recall who but years ago, I remember someone lost a match without losing serve.

I'm sure there'd be many such cases. Two good servers coming up against one another. Probably a good place to start would be checking players like Wayne Arthurs, very solid serve but not nearly as solid off the ground.

jrgfederer · Jun 17, 2007

Agassi lost to sampras 6-7 6-7 6-7 at some U.S. Open im not sure which one. also dont actually know if anyone ever lost serve but thats what it kinda looks like...

jrgfederer · Jun 17, 2007

oh sorry didnt see it had to go to 5 sets

psamp14 · Jun 17, 2007

yes...i mentioned the match in the other thread Moose made....sampras beat agassi in the 2001 us open qtrfinals....6-7 7-6 7-6 7-6...

kabob · Jun 23, 2007

jrgfederer said:
Agassi lost to sampras 6-7 6-7 6-7 at some U.S. Open im not sure which one. also dont actually know if anyone ever lost serve but thats what it kinda looks like...

That was the US Open quarters back in '01. And it was 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in favor of Sampras. Both players agree that it was the best match of their respective careers.

pabloJD · Jun 23, 2007

mellofelow said:
Good trivia. On the contrary, I can't recall who but years ago, I remember someone lost a match without losing serve.

I remember this one

1991, Wimbledon SF
Stich d. Edberg 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(2)

Edberg broke but was never broken :-o

diggler · Jun 23, 2007

kabob said:
That was the US Open quarters back in '01. And it was 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in favor of Sampras. Both players agree that it was the best match of their respective careers.

This match had a phenomenal number of winners. It lacked drama in the sense that I don't think anyone held a break point.

Max G. · Jun 23, 2007

diggler said:
This match had a phenomenal number of winners. It lacked drama in the sense that I don't think anyone held a break point.

I think it had break points. If I remember correctly, by the end Agassi was 0/3 on break points and Sampras was 0/6, though I could be off on those.

Jonny S&V · Jun 23, 2007

Max G. said:
I think it had break points. If I remember correctly, by the end Agassi was 0/3 on break points and Sampras was 0/6, though I could be off on those.

Yep, thats right. One of the greatest matches I've ever seen.

mellofelow · Jun 23, 2007

Wow... thanks for the memories guys. Yes, now I remember. What a match and I sat in front of the TV for minutes in awe... thinking, 'How sick for Agassi to lose a match and wondered HOW?'.

rhubarb · Jun 23, 2007

pabloJD said:
I remember this one

1991, Wimbledon SF
Stich d. Edberg 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(2)

Edberg broke but was never broken :-o

Yup, that's the one I remember too. I also recall the commentator (BBC Radio) being rather relieved that Stich had prevented the fourth successive Wimbledon final between Stefan and Boris Becker.

champy511 · Jun 23, 2007

pabloJD said:
I remember this one

1991, Wimbledon SF
Stich d. Edberg 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(2)

Edberg broke but was never broken :-o

I believe edberg didn't loose a serve the whole tournament, thus he might be the only person to go all that deep in a grand slam without losing a serve and lost.

mellofelow · Jun 24, 2007

champy511 said:
I believe edberg didn't loose a serve the whole tournament, thus he might be the only person to go all that deep in a grand slam without losing a serve and lost.

If so, then that's really sick...

krosero · Jun 24, 2007

champy511 said:
I believe edberg didn't loose a serve the whole tournament, thus he might be the only person to go all that deep in a grand slam without losing a serve and lost.

Actually, Edberg was broken at least once, by McEnroe in the fourth round:

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/headtohead/default.asp?playernum1=E004&playernum2=M047

champy511 · Jun 25, 2007

krosero said:
Actually, Edberg was broken at least once, by McEnroe in the fourth round:

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/headtohead/default.asp?playernum1=E004&playernum2=M047

yup, you are right the stat says he is broken once.

roysid · Jun 25, 2007

Moose Malloy said:
I can't think of too many, anyone know of any others?

Sampras d Korda, '97 Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 6-7(10) 6-7(1) 6-4

Becker d Stich, '93 Wimbledon 7-5 6-7(5) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4

Becker d Pioline, '95 Wimbledon 6-3 6-1 6-7(6) 6-7(10) 9-7

Agassi d Martin, '99 US Open Final 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Agassi is the only player to win a 5 set match in a slam final & not lose serve.

Some others I came across:

Gumy d Hrbaty '97 US Open

Norman d Nestor '98 US Open

You've covered the matches involving big players. There won't me much left. Playing a 5 setter without dropping a service game is very tough and would be possible mostly at Wimbledon.

roysid · Jun 27, 2007

How about best of 5 matches where the loser never lost a serve. 2 famous matches comes to my mind.

91' Wimbledon SF : Edberg lost to Stich 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-7
2001' US Open QF : Agassi lost to Sampras 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-7

tennis_hand · Jun 27, 2007

you must mean the normal service game, not the tie-breaks. I was thinking, how a can Sampras lost a tie-break if he never lost a serve? lol..

roysid · Jul 9, 2007

tennis_hand said:
you must mean the normal service game, not the tie-breaks. I was thinking, how a can Sampras lost a tie-break if he never lost a serve? lol..

Yes I mean normal service game.

quest01 · Jul 9, 2007

jrgfederer said:
Agassi lost to sampras 6-7 6-7 6-7 at some U.S. Open im not sure which one. also dont actually know if anyone ever lost serve but thats what it kinda looks like...

That was one of the best US Open Matches ever.

krosero · Aug 26, 2008

Moose Malloy said:
I can't think of too many, anyone know of any others?

Sampras d Korda, '97 Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 6-7(10) 6-7(1) 6-4

Becker d Stich, '93 Wimbledon 7-5 6-7(5) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4

Becker d Pioline, '95 Wimbledon 6-3 6-1 6-7(6) 6-7(10) 9-7

Agassi d Martin, '99 US Open Final 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Agassi is the only player to win a 5 set match in a slam final & not lose serve.

Some others I came across:

Gumy d Hrbaty '97 US Open

Norman d Nestor '98 US Open

The ATP stats on Becker-Pioline are wrong; they have each player serving 20 times when in fact they served 28 times. They each served 8 times in the fifth set so maybe that set was missing.

They have Pioline winning no break points, but Becker was actually broken for the first time after holding once in the fifth set (and 21 straight times).

Strangely they also have Becker saving 0 of 4 break points rather than 4 of 4.

I'd never heard about Gumy-Hrbaty and Norman-Nestor and I've got no other info on them, but if the ATP stats are reliable it means Gumy held 26 times and Norman 28.

This is a list I've kept on and off over the years, for consecutive holds on serve:

28 by Norman vs. Nestor in 1998 US Open, per ATP stats
27 by Sampras in a 1997 Wimbledon vs Korda
27 by Becker in 1993 Wimbledon QF against Stich
27 by Becker in 1996 ATP Championships vs. Sampras (broken in last game)
26 by Gumy vs. Hrbaty in 1997 US Open, per ATP stats
25 by Agassi in 1999 U.S. Open final against Martin
25 by Sampras in the 1996 ATP Championships final against Becker
24 by Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final against Federer
24 each by Agassi and Sampras in 2001 U.S. Open
24 by Edberg vs. Stich in 1991 Wimbledon semifinal
24 by Sampras vs. Stich in 1992 Grand Slam Cup SF
22 by Kendrick vs. Nadal at 2006 W
22 by Nadal vs. Federer in 2007 W final
21 by Curren against Connors in 1983 Wimbledon fourth round
21 by Becker in a 1995 Wimbledon QF against Pioline
20 by Wilander against McEnroe in 1982 Davis Cup quarterfinal
19 by Lendl against Cash in a 1984 U.S. Open semifinal

Anyone know of something higher than Norman's?

Moose Malloy · Aug 26, 2008

I wonder if this is a record:

Claimed his 4th Wimbledon title by downing Cedric Pioline in straight sets. From the first round to the semifinals, Sampras went 97 consecutive service games without being broken.

They have Pioline winning no break points, but Becker was actually broken for the first time after holding once in the fifth set

did you see this match?

krosero · Aug 26, 2008

Moose Malloy said:
did you see this match?

I saw that one live but I'm going on a few press reports that had him down a break in the fifth; Becker was also quoted as being down a break, and McEnroe mentioned it in the Agassi semi.

krosero · Aug 26, 2008

Moose Malloy said:
I wonder if this is a record:

Claimed his 4th Wimbledon title by downing Cedric Pioline in straight sets. From the first round to the semifinals, Sampras went 97 consecutive service games without being broken.

Click to expand...

Well Sampras has 118 over two Wimbledons, 2000-01:

http://www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/sharkbites1.asp

woodrow1029 · Aug 26, 2008

Plus in this case, it was actually 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6. Before this year's Wimbledon final, the 2001 match with Agassi vs. Sampras was in my mind the best match of all time.

roundiesee · Aug 26, 2008

pabloJD said:
I remember this one

1991, Wimbledon SF
Stich d. Edberg 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(2)

Edberg broke but was never broken :-o

Exactly! I remember that as well. Don't know why but somehow this match seems to stick in the memory. Of course is over 4 and not 5 sets. I felt bad for Edberg, but if it's any consolation, Stich went on to win the title.

Deleted member 25923 · Aug 26, 2008

Wait so all the toher matches, they broke but didn't win by any breaks?

andreh · Aug 27, 2008

roundiesee said:
Exactly! I remember that as well. Don't know why but somehow this match seems to stick in the memory. Of course is over 4 and not 5 sets. I felt bad for Edberg, but if it's any consolation, Stich went on to win the title.

I remeber how upset I was at the time (I was 15 and Edberg was my hero) and I hated Stich for it. But really, he won 3 breakers in a row. That's not only coincidence and luck. Stich played the big points better and still deserved the win.

robertm5119 · Jun 3, 2012

Roland Garros 2012 Juan Monaco beat Milos Raonic 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-4

Mustard · Jun 3, 2012

Why are 4-set matches being listed? If we're doing 4-set matches, then at 1992 Wimbledon, Goran Ivanisevic beat Ivan Lendl 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 1-0 ret. without facing a break point, then beat the tournament favourite, Stefan Edberg, by 6-7, 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, dropping his serve just once. Goran then beat Pete Sampras by 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2, without facing a break point.

srinrajesh · Jun 4, 2012

Moose Malloy said:
I can't think of too many, anyone know of any others?

Sampras d Korda, '97 Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 6-7(10) 6-7(1) 6-4

Becker d Stich, '93 Wimbledon 7-5 6-7(5) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4

Becker d Pioline, '95 Wimbledon 6-3 6-1 6-7(6) 6-7(10) 9-7

Agassi d Martin, '99 US Open Final 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Agassi is the only player to win a 5 set match in a slam final & not lose serve.

Some others I came across:

Gumy d Hrbaty '97 US Open

Norman d Nestor '98 US Open

Becker does seem to do it often at Wimby...great serve and volley .looks like only player to do it twice..

srinrajesh · Jun 4, 2012

Becker was also close in one of the best matches of all time

He lost to Sampras 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 6-7(11), 6-4 .. his only loss of serve was in the final set at 4-4 unfortunately in the penultimate game in the match

"Becker is the best indoor player I've ever played", said Sampras after the match. Sampras actually said this after losing to Becker at Stuttgart in 5 sets

merlinpinpin · Jun 4, 2012

mellofelow said:
Good trivia. On the contrary, I can't recall who but years ago, I remember someone lost a match without losing serve.

Edberg lost a Wimby semi-final to Stich 4/6, 7/6, 7/6, 7/6, never once dropping his serve (the year Stich won the tournament).

merlinpinpin · Jun 4, 2012

pabloJD said:
I remember this one

1991, Wimbledon SF
Stich d. Edberg 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(2)

Edberg broke but was never broken :-o

And this shows I should have read the entire thread before answering, lol.

krosero · Jun 4, 2012

robertm5119 said:
Roland Garros 2012 Juan Monaco beat Milos Raonic 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-4

27 straight holds by Monaco (this is one of those matches where one player serves two more service games than the other; Raonic served only 25 times)

nadal_slam_king · Jun 4, 2012

Nadal almost held serve for the entire match vs Federer at Wimbledon 2008. Worth a mention as its been hailed as the greatest match in history.

Cup8489 · Jun 4, 2012

nadal_slam_king said:
Nadal almost held serve for the entire match vs Federer at Wimbledon 2008. Worth a mention as its been hailed as the greatest match in history.

Oh look,

NSK posting about Nadal.

Who else just had their mind blown?

kishnabe · Jun 4, 2012

nadal_slam_king said:
Nadal almost held serve for the entire match vs Federer at Wimbledon 2008. Worth a mention as its been hailed as the greatest match in history.

Not the greatest match in history but one of the greatest.

Greatest match: 1980 Wimbledon Final even without the tiebreak.

nadal_slam_king · Jun 4, 2012

kishnabe said:
Not the greatest match in history but one of the greatest.

Greatest match: 1980 Wimbledon Final even without the tiebreak.

The media doesn't remember it that way. 2008 Wimbledon has been anointed. Too late.

Mustard · Jun 4, 2012

I preferred the 1979 Wimbledon final to the 1980 Wimbledon final.

krosero · Jun 4, 2012

Mustard said:
Why are 4-set matches being listed? If we're doing 4-set matches, then at 1992 Wimbledon, Goran Ivanisevic beat Ivan Lendl 6-7, 6-1, 6-4, 1-0 ret. without facing a break point, then beat the tournament favourite, Stefan Edberg, by 6-7, 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, dropping his serve just once. Goran then beat Pete Sampras by 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2, without facing a break point.

El Aynaoui d. Hewitt at '03 AO, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4, holding 23 times without getting broken, facing just 3 break points.

krosero · Jun 4, 2012

Moose Malloy said:
I can't think of too many, anyone know of any others?

Sampras d Korda, '97 Wimbledon 6-4 6-3 6-7(10) 6-7(1) 6-4

Becker d Stich, '93 Wimbledon 7-5 6-7(5) 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4

Becker d Pioline, '95 Wimbledon 6-3 6-1 6-7(6) 6-7(10) 9-7

Agassi d Martin, '99 US Open Final 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Agassi is the only player to win a 5 set match in a slam final & not lose serve.

Some others I came across:

Gumy d Hrbaty '97 US Open

Norman d Nestor '98 US Open

In break points:

Korda went 0 for 3
Stich 0 for 9
Martin 0 for 8
Hrbaty 0 for 3
Nestor 0 for 6

Raonic went 0 for 8 against Monaco

SystemicAnomaly · Jun 4, 2012

How about a 5 set match where the loser only got broken once? There was a slam final not too many years ago where this happened. In fact, the winner of that match was broken 2 or 3 times as I recall.

krosero · Jun 4, 2012

SystemicAnomaly said:
How about a 5 set match where the loser only got broken once? There was a slam final not too many years ago where this happened. In fact, the winner of that match was broken 2 or 3 times as I recall.

You talking about Federer and Roddick's last Wimbledon final? Roddick was broken once (in the last game), Federer twice.

SystemicAnomaly · Jun 4, 2012

^ Cookie awarded to krosero. I remember that Roger was broken in the first set. I had missed the 4th in which he lost 3-6 -- wasn't sure if he was broken 1 or 2 times in that set.

Cup8489 · Jun 4, 2012

Someone asked about consecutive holds.. has to be Isner Mahut, doesn't it?

sonicare · Jun 4, 2012

nadal_slam_king said:
Nadal almost held serve for the entire match vs Federer at Wimbledon 2008. Worth a mention as its been hailed as the greatest match in history.

Wtf. I thought he was down a break early in the second. How's that holding serve almost for the whole match?

TennisLovaLova · Jun 5, 2012

^indeed
what a fail
Nadal Slam Krappp

5 set matches where the winner never loses serve?

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