Best Sampras performance please?

falstaff78

Hall of Fame
Calling fans with deep and extensive knowledge of Pete's career!

Could you please point me to videos showing highlights or complete matches of Pete's most dominant and powerful performances?

I followed tennis in the late 80s / early 90s, and then again for the last 7 years or so, but kinda missed 93-05. Have been a huge Fed fan since 2006 - he's kinda the reason I started watching again. However my dad who has been following continuously, and likes both Roger AND Pete, keeps telling me I absolutely must make up for lost time. So now I would like to see and appreciate more of Pete in his pomp.

Thanks a lot for the help.
 

mattennis

Hall of Fame
Some good ones:

1997 AusOpen SF against Muster and Final against Moya.
1996 US OPEN Final against Chang.
1993 US OPEN QF against Chang.
1997 Wimbledon QF against Becker.
1995 Wimbledon Final against Becker.
1997 WTF Final against Kafelnikov.
1997 Cincinnati Final against Muster.
1999 Cincinnati SF against Agassi.
1999 Wimbledon Final against Agassi.
1999 WTF Final against Agassi.
1996 WTF Final against Becker.
1994 WTF SF against Agassi and Final against Becker.
1994 Miami Final against Agassi.
1995 Indian Wells Final against Agassi.
1995 Australian Open QF against Courier.
1996 Roland Garros QF against Courier.
2000 Wimbledon Final against Rafter.
1997 Davis Cup against Rafter.
1995 Davis Cup final against Kafelnikov.
2002 US OPEN QF against Roddick.
2001 US OPEN QF against Agassi.
2002 US OPEN Final against Agassi.

There are so much more...but I am already tired.

In youtube there are highlights of many of these matches and more...

There were so many other great players from that time that you missed. You should check them also...
 

Rattler

Hall of Fame
In an interview, the man himself said the final at the Sybase Open (now the SAP Open) when he faced Agassi was his "most perfect" match.
 

abmk

Bionic Poster
Some good ones:

1997 AusOpen SF against Muster and Final against Moya.
1996 US OPEN Final against Chang.
1993 US OPEN QF against Chang.
1997 Wimbledon QF against Becker.
1995 Wimbledon Final against Becker.
1997 WTF Final against Kafelnikov.
1997 Cincinnati Final against Muster.
1999 Cincinnati SF against Agassi.
1999 Wimbledon Final against Agassi.
1999 WTF Final against Agassi.
1996 WTF Final against Becker.
1994 WTF SF against Agassi and Final against Becker.
1994 Miami Final against Agassi.
1995 Indian Wells Final against Agassi.
1995 Australian Open QF against Courier.
1996 Roland Garros QF against Courier.
2000 Wimbledon Final against Rafter.
1997 Davis Cup against Rafter.
1995 Davis Cup final against Kafelnikov.
2002 US OPEN QF against Roddick.
2001 US OPEN QF against Agassi.
2002 US OPEN Final against Agassi.

There are so much more...but I am already tired.

In youtube there are highlights of many of these matches and more...

There were so many other great players from that time that you missed. You should check them also...

the wimbledon final vs rafter in 2000 wasn't that impressive .....

neither was the kafelnikov one in YEC 97 ... kafelnikov was just plain cr*p in that one ...
 

BeHappy

Hall of Fame
His 1999 summer finals against Agassi was his peak in my opinion. All of them, Wimbledon, TMC, there were a few other ones too.

The 1997 AO final versus Moya was very good too.
 

abmk

Bionic Poster
apart from the ones mentioned by mattennis :

1. wimbledon QF vs stich in 92 .... a better performance than the overhyped wimbledon 99 final performance IMO ..

2. USO final vs agassi in 90

3. Davis cup vs phillippoussis in 97

other classic matches :

corretja in USO 96 QF
agassi in AO 2000 SF
federer in wimbledon 2001 4R
 

dudeski

Hall of Fame
Pete's best performance by far was the 4th round at 2001 Wimbledon. That was peak Sampras at his epic god mode beast mode best.
 
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Sid_Vicious

G.O.A.T.
Pete's best performance by far was the 4th round at 2001 Wimbledon. That was peak Sampras at his epic god mode beast mode best.

I agree. It's right up there with Wimbledon 2008 final in matches where a GOAT-level players plays his absolute finest tennis but still loses.
 

helloworld

Hall of Fame
Pete's best performance by far was the 4th round at 2001 Wimbledon. That was peak Sampras at his epic god mode beast mode best.

Stop trolling please. Pete was clearly far past his best at that point. He won 0 tournament in the whole year, and was ranked outside top 10. He was finished, but still gave Fed a good fight. Old champions don't go down easily even if they are past it already.
 
D

Deleted member 3771

Guest
Sampras won 5 of his 7 Wimbledon finals without being broken, so watch those dominating performances.
 

90's Clay

Banned
1999 Wimbledon final easily. Pete was surgical with that racket and bludgeoned Andre to death.

BY FAR the most aggressive and dominating tennis I've ever seen. He made the #1 or #2 Agassi look like he didn't even belong playing the pro men's tour that day.
 
1999 v. Agassi at the final of Wimbledon. What a time to put on that kind of tennis, the finals of the biggest tournament in the world. He made the best returner in the world look ordinary. Not to mention beating Andre from the baseline regularly in that match.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
1999 Wimbledon final easily. Pete was surgical with that racket and bludgeoned Andre to death.

BY FAR the most aggressive and dominating tennis I've ever seen. He made the #1 or #2 Agassi look like he didn't even belong playing the pro men's tour that day.

Youre talking as if Sampras won 6-0 6-1 6-2.

Sampras won 6-3 6-4 7-5 which is far from what Federer did to Hewitt in the finals of the US Open when he threw in 2 bagels in Hewitt's face. Sampras would never double bagel anyone no matter how on he was, especially the likes of peak Hewitt.

You wanna see some beatdowns?

Federer Djokovic 6-0 7-6
Federer Nadal 6-3 6-0
Federer Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2
Federer Agassi 6-3 6-0 6-4
I don't wanna even mention the likes of Blake, Roddick or Nalbandian cause you probably don't think they are good enough to be in the conversation here but Sampras wouldn't even dream of bageling Roddick. Multiple times for the matter.

Now those are beatdowns, Sampras wouldn't even dominate an amateur because he was unable to break more than once per set.
 
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monfed

Guest
Youre talking as if Sampras won 6-0 6-1 6-2.

Sampras won 6-3 6-4 7-5 which is far from what Federer did to Hewitt in the finals of the US Open when he threw in 2 bagels in Hewitt's face. Sampras would never double bagel anyone no matter how on he was, especially the likes of peak Hewitt.

I think you forgot that Hewitt is a weak era clown. ;)
 

90's Clay

Banned
Youre talking as if Sampras won 6-0 6-1 6-2.

Sampras won 6-3 6-4 7-5 which is far from what Federer did to Hewitt in the finals of the US Open when he threw in 2 bagels in Hewitt's face. Sampras would never double bagel anyone no matter how on he was, especially the likes of peak Hewitt.

You wanna see some beatdowns?

Federer Djokovic 6-0 7-6
Federer Nadal 6-3 6-0
Federer Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2
Federer Agassi 6-3 6-0 6-4

Now those are beatdowns, Sampras wouldn't even dominate an amateur because he was unable to break more than once per set.



Sampras didn't need to consistently break per set. He just needed the one break to win the set since it was so difficult to break him.

I was going by the level that Pete attained in the 1999 wimbledon final, which was the highest level Ive ever seen from a player. Moreso, then any matches I've seen from Fed level wise


1999 Wimbledon final Sampras blows Any Fed you got off the court.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Sampras didn't need to consistently break per set. He just needed the one break to win the set since it was so difficult to break him.

Cool story but that doesn't make him look dominant. Federer threw in bagels all round against the best players in the world. Sampras wouldn't even dream of doing that. I mean 6-0 7-6 6-0 against peak Hewitt in a US final when the surface was still fast. Could you imagine Sampras doing that? LOL

1999 Wimbledon final Sampras blows Any Fed you got off the court.

Sampras doesn't hold a candle to Federer when Federer is at his best. Not even close lol. The more hilarious if you think that peak Federer would stay back on a fast grass court, LOOOL. Federer served and volleyed his way to a win against Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 when he was a baby, who are you to say he would be demolished if it was his 2006 version?

Sampras demolishing Federer at his best, lol. WHAT A JOKE. I think it's too much weed for 1 day, bro.
 
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tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
I think you forgot that Hewitt is a weak era clown. ;)

Teenage Hewitt was throwing in bagels against a still very good Sampras. I think Hewitt is considered an exception, though. Some of the beatdowns he layed on Sampras in 2000-2002 were just too much for the most zealous Sampras fans to handle.
 

90's Clay

Banned
Teenage Hewitt was throwing in bagels against a still very good Sampras. I think Hewitt is considered an exception, though. Some of the beatdowns he layed on Sampras in 2000-2002 were just too much for the most zealous Sampras fans to handle.


Sampras beat Hewitt at the USO in 2000 and Hewitt took advantage of a gassed Sampras in 2001 (Who had just gone through a draw of hell with THREE former USO champions)
 

90's Clay

Banned
Another dominating gem from Sampras was the USO in 2002 vs. Roddick.

I remember Becker (who was commentating that match) was asked what he would do if he was Roddick to stop this onslaught.. Becker replied "Get the hell out of the stadium"
 

fed_rulz

Hall of Fame
Get lost troll and don't let the door hit your vagina on the way out.



This is a thread that simply called for fans of TENNIS to cite what they considered Sampras' most dominant performance-PERIOD. It was not an reach out to you, underground or any of the other fedfangirls. You want to troll? Ok. But you do know that you get called on it. Capiche, asswipe?

hey Sard, the poster claimed that performance from Sampras was the most dominant performance in tennis, PERIOD. I disagreed (and as you might've seen, a few others did too). You have a problem with that? what are you, an opinion police?

you're starting to look like a butthurt fool with your needless rants (how you've not been banned is still a mystery with the frequent use of female genitalia as a form of insult)
 

90's Clay

Banned
Cool story but that doesn't make him look dominant. Federer threw in bagels all round against the best players in the world. Sampras wouldn't even dream of doing that. I mean 6-0 7-6 6-0 against peak Hewitt in a US final when the surface was still fast. Could you imagine Sampras doing that? LOL



Sampras doesn't hold a candle to Federer when Federer is at his best. Not even close lol. The more hilarious if you think that peak Federer would stay back on a fast grass court, LOOOL. Federer served and volleyed his way to a win against Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 when he was a baby, who are you to say he would be demolished if it was his 2006 version?

Sampras demolishing Federer at his best, lol. WHAT A JOKE. I think it's too much weed for 1 day, bro.

BWHAHAHA. Federer couldn't beat 1999 Wimbledon final Sampras if you gave him 10 tries.. Pete was just too aggressive to the point where the opponent could not get any kind of rhythm going.

When Pete played like that, there was really nothing you could do about it. I dont care who you are
 

fed_rulz

Hall of Fame
Sampras didn't need to consistently break per set. He just needed the one break to win the set since it was so difficult to break him.

I was going by the level that Pete attained in the 1999 wimbledon final, which was the highest level Ive ever seen from a player. Moreso, then any matches I've seen from Fed level wise


1999 Wimbledon final Sampras blows Any Fed you got off the court.

Fact check: Fed is just as difficult to break, and has lost fewer sets, games etc, than Sampras.

Post-prime Fed trounces any version of Sampras on any court.
 

fed_rulz

Hall of Fame
BWHAHAHA. Federer couldn't beat 1999 Wimbledon final Sampras if you gave him 10 tries.. Pete was just too aggressive to the point where the opponent could not get any kind of rhythm going.

When Pete played like that, there was really nothing you could do about it. I dont care who you are

you might not, but Pete sure would, especially if he's getting beaten to pulp.

Let's not discuss Agassi's 44% 1st serves in the match, OK?
 

NatF

Bionic Poster
BWHAHAHA. Federer couldn't beat 1999 Wimbledon final Sampras if you gave him 10 tries.. Pete was just too aggressive to the point where the opponent could not get any kind of rhythm going.

When Pete played like that, there was really nothing you could do about it. I dont care who you are

Yeah ok, we'll take your word for it. It's not like you're a biased Sard or anything...
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Sampras beat Hewitt at the USO in 2000 and Hewitt took advantage of a gassed Sampras in 2001 (Who had just gone through a draw of hell with THREE former USO champions)

Sampras never beat Hewitt again after the 2000 US open, 5 times out of 5 to be exact with a couple of bagels and breadsticks. Peak Hewitt owned Sampras.
 

fed_rulz

Hall of Fame
Youre talking as if Sampras won 6-0 6-1 6-2.

Sampras won 6-3 6-4 7-5 which is far from what Federer did to Hewitt in the finals of the US Open when he threw in 2 bagels in Hewitt's face. Sampras would never double bagel anyone no matter how on he was, especially the likes of peak Hewitt.

You wanna see some beatdowns?

Federer Djokovic 6-0 7-6
Federer Nadal 6-3 6-0
Federer Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2
Federer Agassi 6-3 6-0 6-4
I don't wanna even mention the likes of Blake, Roddick or Nalbandian cause you probably don't think they are good enough to be in the conversation here but Sampras wouldn't even dream of bageling Roddick. Multiple times for the matter.

Now those are beatdowns, Sampras wouldn't even dominate an amateur because he was unable to break more than once per set.

More:
Federer Gaudio 6-0, 6-0
Federer Delpo 6-3 6-0 6-0
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
I think Pete's 1999 YEC F performances against Agassi is better (by a solid margin) than his 1999 Wimbledon F performance actually, just my impression of his level of play in both matches (I didn't compare stats or something so I don't know how accurate my opinion is).

Sampras beat Hewitt at the USO in 2000 and Hewitt took advantage of a gassed Sampras in 2001 (Who had just gone through a draw of hell with THREE former USO champions)

The same way Sampras took advantage of teenage Hewitt in 2000 USO :) ?
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
BWHAHAHA. Federer couldn't beat 1999 Wimbledon final Sampras if you gave him 10 tries.. Pete was just too aggressive to the point where the opponent could not get any kind of rhythm going.

When Pete played like that, there was really nothing you could do about it. I dont care who you are

Sure thing. Make a poll and let's see if everyone agrees. No, wait, you're the only one here who thinks that Sampras was unbeatable where in fact he lost multiple sets in each Wimbledon from 93-00 while Federer barely lost a set or 2 per tournament.

The very same (1999 Wimbledon) Sampras was getting hammered by Philippoussiss before Mark had to retire, the same Sampras lost a set to Henman in the SF yet Federer at his best had no chance. I MEAN COME ON, how much dumber can one be?
 
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90's Clay

Banned
Sure thing. Make a poll and let's see if everyone agrees. No, wait, you're the only one here who thinks that Sampras was unbeatable where in fact he lost multiple sets in each Wimbledon from 93-00 while Federer barely lost a set or 2 per tournament.

The very same (1999 Wimbledon) Sampras was getting hammered by Philippoussiss before Mark had to retire, the same Sampras lost a set to Henman in the SF yet Federer at his best had no chance. I MEAN COME ON, how much dumber can one be?

Why make a poll here at **** Warehouse exactly?

Federer wins all polls heres.. Best USO player by 1000 votes over Connors and Pete (despite Sampras with more success there along with Connors), best well built guy, prettiest, strongest, fastest, best volleyer, best BH, best 1st and 2nd serve etc..

This place is infested with **** bias. Its only reasonable to make a poll on a truly objective tennis board. This place certainly isn't the place
 
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Laurie

Guest
From my youtube collection:

Sampras v Henman 1998 Vienna quarterfinal 6-0 6-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmbervegakA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q84AZ1Qsys

Sampras v Rafter 1997 Davis cup semifinal 6-7 6-1 6-1 6-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ve0wcJ3Rg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxQEBebE_yg

Sampras v Safin 2000 Masters cup (ATP world tour finals) 6-2 6-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL8HMY0VcXY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbRr97sKyM

Sampras v Becker 1994 Italian Open final 6-1 6-1 6-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUP2FxtK0VQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ChjWNhZbI

Sampras v Agassi 1999 Wimby final 6-3 6-4 7-5. I reuploaded the whole match last week, I had it before in highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU2jDlwg4Sg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmAfaSOwqDQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8ZmWQcNKzo

I would like to upload the 1999 Cincinnati semifinal and 1999 Los Angeles final but haven't got round to it yet, I want to upload some matches involving Angelique Kerber and Petra Kvitova first.
 

Steve0904

Talk Tennis Guru
Why make a poll here at **** Warehouse exactly?

Federer wins all polls heres.. Best USO player by 1000 votes over Connors and Pete (despite Sampras with more success there along with Connors), best well built guy, prettiest, strongest, fastest etc..

This place is infested with **** bias. Its only reasonable to make a poll on a truly objective tennis board. This place certainly isn't the place

Yet you keep coming here. I think you're what people call a sucker for punishment. Seriously though, don't leave, I have barrels of fun laughing at your posts everyday. :)
 

TheFifthSet

Legend
Sampras didn't need to consistently break per set. He just needed the one break to win the set since it was so difficult to break him.

I was going by the level that Pete attained in the 1999 wimbledon final, which was the highest level Ive ever seen from a player. Moreso, then any matches I've seen from Fed level wise


1999 Wimbledon final Sampras blows Any Fed you got off the court.

Sampras had plenty better performances than that final, which is overrated. agassi got 44% of his first serves in that day. If Sampras was in such killer form, he would be able to break him MORE than 3 times in 15 return games, regardless of how comfortable he was on serve. He'd be able to do it in his sleep considering how well he was supposedly playing, and given how poorly Dre was serving. I think if Fed was having a good serving day he'd have an excellent chance versus this Sampras. Moreover, although he was characteristically dominant on the first serve, Pete lost more points on his second serve than he won. Pretty tame for such a legendary display.

I've seen the match plenty of times and while it was a good/great performance, it was nowhere near the pinnacle of tennis excellence.
 
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TheFifthSet

Legend
Sampras doesn't hold a candle to Federer when Federer is at his best. Not even close lol.

I don't get posts like this either. They're two all-time greats, who, when on their best day, can blow out pretty much anyone. While I believe peak Federer is better than peak Pete, to say it wouldn't be close is absurd. Pete's serve ALONE would ensure that the match would be close.
 

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
I don't get posts like this either. They're two all-time greats, who, when on their best day, can blow out pretty much anyone. While I believe peak Federer is better than peak Pete, to say it wouldn't be close is absurd. Pete's serve ALONE would ensure that the match would be close.

I'm starting to think pete's serve is overrated tbh.
 

TheFifthSet

Legend
I'm starting to think pete's serve is overrated tbh.

Well I definitely don't think it was the unanimous best serve of all time, heck it MIGHT not even be top 5, but it was definitely an all-time great serve. He's third in first serve points won all-time, something like 3rd-4th on pct% of service games won, and was only broken 4 times in 7 Wimbledon finals. It might be a tad overrated but it is still in the running for greatest serve of all time. It would be a tough ask for Federer or for anybody. If they're both at the top of their games its foolish to think either would blow the other off the court. That's simply nonsensical.

But you may be right, the way some people talk about Sampras, its as if his serve NEVER wilted, it was NEVER broken etc etc.
 

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
Well I definitely don't think it was the unanimous best serve of all time, heck it MIGHT not even be top 5, but it was definitely an all-time great serve. He's third in first serve points won all-time, something like 3rd-4th on pct% of service games won, and was only broken 4 times in 7 Wimbledon finals. It might be a tad overrated but it is still in the running for greatest serve of all time. It would be a tough ask for Federer or for anybody. If they're both at the top of their games its foolish to think either would blow the other off the court. That's simply nonsensical.

But you may be right, the way some people talk about Sampras, its as if his serve NEVER wilted, it was NEVER broken etc etc.

I agree with your post. I mean, realistically.. Roddick's serve, as a standalone shot, had very similar numbers up until the last year of his career (and we all know that he's admitted to major shoulder issues in that year)

but look at the ease with which Federer handled the Roddick serve, and almost every big serve in his prime. Only the very biggest serves for pace could really do anything to him, and only if they were hitting their spots.

He's never had trouble with the Sampras serve in any of the times they've played..
I'm just saying, if he had a day like that AO 2007 semi... Sampras wouldn't get out of trouble very easily with his serve, and I doubt he'd match Roger on the ground. and with the way Fed was passign that day, Sampras would struggle at net as well.
 

TheFifthSet

Legend
I agree with your post. I mean, realistically.. Roddick's serve, as a standalone shot, had very similar numbers up until the last year of his career (and we all know that he's admitted to major shoulder issues in that year)

but look at the ease with which Federer handled the Roddick serve, and almost every big serve in his prime. Only the very biggest serves for pace could really do anything to him, and only if they were hitting their spots.


Roddick's game is 10x inferior to Sampras. While Fed's performance @ 2007OZ was lethal, it was pretty much target practice given how poorly he was approaching.

He's never had trouble with the Sampras serve in any of the times they've played..
I'm just saying, if he had a day like that AO 2007 semi... Sampras wouldn't get out of trouble very easily with his serve, and I doubt he'd match Roger on the ground. and with the way Fed was passign that day, Sampras would struggle at net as well.

They've only played once, though. :p

Yeah I agree Sampras wouldn't get out of trouble very easily. I didn't say he would. Just that it wouldn't be a blow-out either way, especially at Wimbledon considering Sampras' game was tailor-made for grass and how he was broken only 4 times in 7 finals, and the US Open. It would likely be one-sided on clay, but not anywhere else imo.

and again, while I agree Fed was supreme in that match, look at Roddicks approaches. They were subpar. Roddick simply does not know how to patrol the net, yet he kept going there like a headless chicken in that match.
 

dlam

Semi-Pro
IMO, the best Sampress performance was QF 1996 US Open against Corretja.
I was sure he was going to lose going to the 5th set.
He looked weak,dizzy, vomitted a few times, and umpire called time on him.
Meanwhile Corretja was jumping up and down and looked really fit.
Somehow he manage to win , this was a heart of a champion, he went on to win easily in the finals against Chang.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=444672
 

abmk

Bionic Poster
Sampras had plenty better performances than that final, which is overrated. agassi got 44% of his first serves in that day. If Sampras was in such killer form, he would be able to break him MORE than 3 times in 15 return games, regardless of how comfortable he was on serve. He'd be able to do it in his sleep considering how well he was supposedly playing, and given how poorly Dre was serving. I think if Fed was having a good serving day he'd have an excellent chance versus this Sampras. Moreover, although he was characteristically dominant on the first serve, Pete lost more points on his second serve than he won. Pretty tame for such a legendary display.

I've seen the match plenty of times and while it was a good/great performance, it was nowhere near the pinnacle of tennis excellence.

I think Pete's 1999 YEC F performances against Agassi is better (by a solid margin) than his 1999 Wimbledon F performance actually, just my impression of his level of play in both matches (I didn't compare stats or something so I don't know how accurate my opinion is).

*finally* a few point this out ..that performance is over-rated beyond belief ....

that wasn't even pete's best performance on grass, IMO that would be the wimbledon QF vs stich in 92 ...I wonder how many of the so called die-hard pete fans even saw that performance !?

and yes , 99 YEC final was a bit better than the wimbledon 99 final
 
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