all-time greats just have good hands: Lendl/Edberg USO 1991

[VGP]

Came across this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRakvgJuFAA&hd=1

Behind-the-back one-ups-manship......

Goes to show that the best really are the best!

 

[Devilito]

Came across this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRakvgJuFAA&hd=1

Behind-the-back one-ups-manship......

Goes to show that the best really are the best!

i remember that US Open so clearly. Lendl and his stupid hat, not to mention he kept complaining about the blimp getting in the line of sight of his toss LMAO. Also the best part, Jimmy Connors' run. I remember being up at 2am in the morning watching him come back against Patrick McEnroe. Wow, you don't have US Opens like that anymore.

 

[VGP]

I was watching that match on TV. Connors really took the spotlight off of Edberg. Edberg just mowed through the field that year.

Regarding the McEnroe/Connors match, Connors was down two sets and a break and people left to go home. Some heard they were still playing and turned around and came back to watch him win in 5.

 

[Devilito]

I was watching that match on TV. Connors really took the spotlight off of Edberg. Edberg just mowed through the field that year.

Regarding the McEnroe/Connors match, Connors was down two sets and a break and people left to go home. Some heard they were still playing and turned around and came back to watch him win in 5.

it was awesome because by the time Jimmy started to come back the only people left in the stands were drunk crazed fans. They also all migrated to the bottom rows. Made for an insane crowd that was ready to riot for Jimbo. Every point he won the few hundred people left were louder than any 20,000 person crowd now a days. They were tearing their shirts off lol

Also yeah. Edberg was, "nation of domination" that entire tournament. Nobody touched him. Almost like watching Federer dominate a slam in the mid 2000s

 

[VGP]

I recall an interview where Edberg said that his title defense the following year was his most satisfying tennis accomplishment.

He blew past everyone in '91, "embarassing" Courier in the final, but fighting every match to get through in '92. Three consecutive 5-setters before the final. I guess a less than truly motivated Sampras (plus his upset stomach) was the final hurdle.

Regarding the above video.....I love the court-level replays. You see both Lendl and Edberg get themselves balanced and then get their weight moving into their behind-the-back shots. Great footwork!

 

[Mustard]

Edberg has said, though, that his 1991 US Open final against Courier was the best tennis match he had ever played. The 1992 US Open was far more dramatic and close for Edberg, where he was a break down in the fifth set against Krajicek, Lendl and Chang, before coming back to win all of them. He also came from a set down to beat Sampras in the final.

 

[VGP]

You're right. Edberg totally zoned for two weeks.

I enjoyed the 1991 US Open Men's tournament. On one side you had Connors' run, but Courier totally deflated his momentum in the semis. On the other side Edberg's run was great. I really enjoyed his match against Chang. One of may favorite three-setters to watch.....

 

[magnut]

91 and 92 were my favorite all time US Opens. Lots of great matchups

91 was Jimmys Open

92 was all Edberg. Classic battles against Lendl, Becker, and Chang.

96 was a good open for Edberg too. Reached the quarters where Ivanisevic played out of his mind. Too bad, he had a real shot there. Would of loved to see Chang vs Edberg in the finals that year.

 

[magnut]

You're right. Edberg totally zoned for two weeks.

I enjoyed the 1991 US Open Men's tournament. On one side you had Connors' run, but Courier totally deflated his momentum in the semis. On the other side Edberg's run was great. I really enjoyed his match against Chang. One of may favorite three-setters to watch.....

McEnroe and Chang had a pretty amazing match that year as well. Tight 5 setter. 1st time Chang ever beat Mac.

 

[magnut]

Wait. I think I goofed again. I think lendl took out Becker in 92.

 

[hoodjem]

Behind the back shots are certainly more difficult than tweeners.

 

[Mustard]

You're right. Edberg totally zoned for two weeks.

I enjoyed the 1991 US Open Men's tournament. On one side you had Connors' run, but Courier totally deflated his momentum in the semis. On the other side Edberg's run was great. I really enjoyed his match against Chang. One of may favorite three-setters to watch.....

Regarding that Courier vs. Connors semi final, there was an incident in that match that not many pick up on. The point where Connors broke Courier's serve to go 3-1 up in the second set was controversial and halted the crowd momentum instead of Connors whipping the crowd up. Courier then won the next 9 games on his way to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win.

 

[VGP]

Behind the back shots are certainly more difficult than tweeners.

I'd assume so. With a tweener at least you can keep watching the ball.

The behind the back shots shown in the vid were both "blind" shots. Plus I enjoyed how the points continued after they kept the shots in play.

The closest I've got to a successful trick shot was when I was chasing down a lob on my forehand side facing the back fence. I kept it to my left and hit a forehand down the line passing shot with a backhand grip following through under my left arm.

 

[heathcliff]

Wait. I think I goofed again. I think lendl took out Becker in 92.

yes it was lendl...the first match at the us open that went over 5 hrs
they hadn´t liked each other anyway but during that match there was pure hatred between them...a great battle.....

 

[Devilito]

I'd assume so. With a tweener at least you can keep watching the ball.

between the legs is extremely easy. We used to practice it and it became an easy 10/10 shot. Hit winners off it once in a while. It only looks good because most people don't practice it or just dont go for it so it's a rare sight. The Edberg / Lendl behind the back is way harder because you need to be in the right spot at the right time to hit it.