In 1989, Boris Becker beat Stefan Edberg 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the Paris Indoor final on carpet
Becker had beaten Edberg in the final at Wimbledon earlier in the year and Edberg had also lost in the French Open final in Paris
Becker won 97 points, Edberg 74
Becker serve-volleyed all but twice off first serves and very rarely off second. Edberg serve-volleyed the majority of time off first serves and about half the time off second
(Note: I'm missing two points on Becker's serve - one won by Becker, one won by Edberg)
Serve Stats
Becker...
- 1st serve percentage (43/73) 59%
- 1st serve points won (39/43) 91%
- 2nd serve points won (16/30) 53%
- Aces 11 (2 non-clean), Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 5
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (30/73) 41%
Edberg....
- 1st serve percentage (63/96) 66%
- 1st serve points won (36/63) 57%
- 2nd serve points won (19/33) 58%
- Aces 3 - including 1 second serve
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/96) 23%
Serve Patterns
Becker served...
- to FH 38%
- to BH 49%
- to Body 13%
Edberg served....
- to FH 25%
- to BH 69%
- to Body 6%
Return Stats
Becker made...
- 71 (18 FH, 53 BH), including 3 runaround FHs and 3 return-approaches
- 10 Winners (1 FH, 9 BH)
- 19 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 17 Forced (6 FH, 11 BH)
- Return Rate (71/93) 76%
Edberg made...
- 38 (15 FH, 23 BH), including 2 runaround BHs and 4 return-approaches (not a typo - they were runaround BHs, to body serves)
- 1 Winner (1 BH)
- 18 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 14 Forced (8 FH, 6 BH)
- Return Rate (38/68) 56%
Break Points
Becker 5/20 (8 games)
Edberg 1/5 (2 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Becker 34 (10 FH, 14 BH, 6 FHV, 4 BHV)
Edberg 20 (5 BH, 6 FHV, 5 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 3 OH)
Becker
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Becker 27
- 7 Unforced (3 FH, 2 BH, 1 FHV, 1 OH)
- 20 Forced (10 FH, 8 BH, 1 BHV, 1 BH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.1
Edberg 28
- 12 Unforced (5 FH, 3 BH, 1 FHV, 3 BHV)
- 16 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH, 4 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 50
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Becker was...
- 36/44 (82%) at net, including...
- 28/32 (88%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 27/30 (90%) off 1st serve and...
- 1/2 (50%) off second serve
----------------------------------
- 1/3 return-approaching
Edberg was...
- 46/76 (61%) at net, including...
- 41/68 (60%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 31/51 (61%) off 1st serve and...
- 10/17 (59%) off second serve
--------------------------------
- 2/4 return-approaching
- 1/2 forced back from net
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Match Report
A grooved performance from Becker. He's at his best and Edberg is at normal. My feeling is the biggest difference between the two is Becker's vastly superior serve. Due to this difference, Becker generally can return more effectively/damagingly than Edberg... and how the two stack up in other areas - volleying, passing and even groundstrokes - snowballs down to give Becker the overall advantage. And that's what happens here
The first set is an excellent watch. The two men combine for 23 winners in play (Becker 13, Edberg 10) and only 2 UEs (Becker 1, Edberg 2). Both serve well, too (Becker 67%, Edberg 76%). The difference that makes the difference is in Becker's superiority on the serve. He gets 10 unreturned serves (37%), while Edberg can only muster 6 (18%). Throw in the returns actually made being much heavier from Becker's end.... and you can see where Edberg is having a problem
Edberg is broken in the very first game. Down 30-0, Becker makes 3 consecutive passing winners - and wraps up by drawing a very much forced volleying error. While quality of play remains high from both men, Becker is clearly the one in the lead. He earns 4 more break chances (including reducing Edberg to 0-40) with excellent passing and returning. Edberg is able to stave these off - but he struggles to make a dent against the Becker serve.
The level drops slightly in the second set (sustaining the level off the first set wasn't realistic), but Becker remains in control. He breaks early with a BH dtl return winner and adds another in a game where he strikes 3 superb winners (FH lob, FH running-down-drop-volley and BH return pass). Typically clutch, the German climbs out of a 0-40 hole in the next game to hold - and even puts Edberg in the same hole in the game after that. Staring at going down 6-1 in the set, Edberg produces some fancy clutch play of his own. Becker is fully attuned to Edberg's standard BHV cc and tends to move in that direction rather swiftly. But the Swede goes BHV inside-out for the winner, drags Becker to net and forces an error and finally lets loose with a second serve ace to erase the break points. He faces another in the game, but goes on to hold.
Edberg even snatches a break back, but Becker breaks again to take the set. He's struck 4 BH return of service winners over the last two games.... and Edberg can't seem to find a safe spot to land his serve
Just the one break in the third set. A poor game from Edberg. He saves two break points to get to deuce, but then misses an unnecessarily attacking BH inside-out and yields the break by missing a makeable enough BHV that I've marked it a UE (though it wasn't easy). And Becker nurses the break to the end to finish a comfortable straight sets winner
Playing Dynamics & Statistics
Becker's movement - the one area where he trails Edberg significantly - is as good as I've seen it in this encounter. He slows down after having his thigh strapped (and is broken for the only time immediately afterwards), but no slow-poking about he court in this match from Boris.
With Boris staying back on almost all his second serves and Edberg doing so not infrequently even off his firsts, there's a healthy dose of baseline exchanges. No dawdling though.... both player look to open the court and aggressively finish the point. These come out about even, but the unreliability of the Edberg FH is evident (5 UEs... the most of any groundstroke on show). Its not threatening (unlike Becker's) and when looking to be aggressive, the shot is prone to error.
Note Edberg outdoing Becker on second serve points won (58% to 53%). This indicates that in terms of pure court skills, Edberg may be superior. But far, far away from overriding the handicap he has on the first serve -
First serve points won - Becker 91%, Edberg 57%
Aces/Service Winners - Becker 12, Edberg 3
Unreturned serve percentage - Becker 41%, Edberg 23%
1st serve volley points won - Becker 90% (mostly via unreturned serves), Edberg 61%
Summing up, it all starts and ends with Becker's superiority on serve. Because of it, he can return, volley and pass better. His returning is impressive (10 return winners)…. and would likely top Edberg's even against equal opposition. As it is, he can do double the damage to the Edberg serve (making forceful returns) as Edberg can to his (barely getting the ball in play). His volleying is very good - and has variety that Edberg's lack (drop and stop shots). His passing is powerful and on occasion, balanced with excellent touch. All in all, a clear demonstration of all round superiority from the German
(Will post up stats and report for the '90 final shortly....)
Becker had beaten Edberg in the final at Wimbledon earlier in the year and Edberg had also lost in the French Open final in Paris
Becker won 97 points, Edberg 74
Becker serve-volleyed all but twice off first serves and very rarely off second. Edberg serve-volleyed the majority of time off first serves and about half the time off second
(Note: I'm missing two points on Becker's serve - one won by Becker, one won by Edberg)
Serve Stats
Becker...
- 1st serve percentage (43/73) 59%
- 1st serve points won (39/43) 91%
- 2nd serve points won (16/30) 53%
- Aces 11 (2 non-clean), Service Winners 1
- Double Faults 5
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (30/73) 41%
Edberg....
- 1st serve percentage (63/96) 66%
- 1st serve points won (36/63) 57%
- 2nd serve points won (19/33) 58%
- Aces 3 - including 1 second serve
- Double Faults 3
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (22/96) 23%
Serve Patterns
Becker served...
- to FH 38%
- to BH 49%
- to Body 13%
Edberg served....
- to FH 25%
- to BH 69%
- to Body 6%
Return Stats
Becker made...
- 71 (18 FH, 53 BH), including 3 runaround FHs and 3 return-approaches
- 10 Winners (1 FH, 9 BH)
- 19 Errors, comprising...
- 2 Unforced (2 BH)
- 17 Forced (6 FH, 11 BH)
- Return Rate (71/93) 76%
Edberg made...
- 38 (15 FH, 23 BH), including 2 runaround BHs and 4 return-approaches (not a typo - they were runaround BHs, to body serves)
- 1 Winner (1 BH)
- 18 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 14 Forced (8 FH, 6 BH)
- Return Rate (38/68) 56%
Break Points
Becker 5/20 (8 games)
Edberg 1/5 (2 games)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Becker 34 (10 FH, 14 BH, 6 FHV, 4 BHV)
Edberg 20 (5 BH, 6 FHV, 5 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 3 OH)
Becker
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Becker 27
- 7 Unforced (3 FH, 2 BH, 1 FHV, 1 OH)
- 20 Forced (10 FH, 8 BH, 1 BHV, 1 BH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.1
Edberg 28
- 12 Unforced (5 FH, 3 BH, 1 FHV, 3 BHV)
- 16 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH, 4 BHV)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 50
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Becker was...
- 36/44 (82%) at net, including...
- 28/32 (88%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 27/30 (90%) off 1st serve and...
- 1/2 (50%) off second serve
----------------------------------
- 1/3 return-approaching
Edberg was...
- 46/76 (61%) at net, including...
- 41/68 (60%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 31/51 (61%) off 1st serve and...
- 10/17 (59%) off second serve
--------------------------------
- 2/4 return-approaching
- 1/2 forced back from net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Match Report
A grooved performance from Becker. He's at his best and Edberg is at normal. My feeling is the biggest difference between the two is Becker's vastly superior serve. Due to this difference, Becker generally can return more effectively/damagingly than Edberg... and how the two stack up in other areas - volleying, passing and even groundstrokes - snowballs down to give Becker the overall advantage. And that's what happens here
The first set is an excellent watch. The two men combine for 23 winners in play (Becker 13, Edberg 10) and only 2 UEs (Becker 1, Edberg 2). Both serve well, too (Becker 67%, Edberg 76%). The difference that makes the difference is in Becker's superiority on the serve. He gets 10 unreturned serves (37%), while Edberg can only muster 6 (18%). Throw in the returns actually made being much heavier from Becker's end.... and you can see where Edberg is having a problem
Edberg is broken in the very first game. Down 30-0, Becker makes 3 consecutive passing winners - and wraps up by drawing a very much forced volleying error. While quality of play remains high from both men, Becker is clearly the one in the lead. He earns 4 more break chances (including reducing Edberg to 0-40) with excellent passing and returning. Edberg is able to stave these off - but he struggles to make a dent against the Becker serve.
The level drops slightly in the second set (sustaining the level off the first set wasn't realistic), but Becker remains in control. He breaks early with a BH dtl return winner and adds another in a game where he strikes 3 superb winners (FH lob, FH running-down-drop-volley and BH return pass). Typically clutch, the German climbs out of a 0-40 hole in the next game to hold - and even puts Edberg in the same hole in the game after that. Staring at going down 6-1 in the set, Edberg produces some fancy clutch play of his own. Becker is fully attuned to Edberg's standard BHV cc and tends to move in that direction rather swiftly. But the Swede goes BHV inside-out for the winner, drags Becker to net and forces an error and finally lets loose with a second serve ace to erase the break points. He faces another in the game, but goes on to hold.
Edberg even snatches a break back, but Becker breaks again to take the set. He's struck 4 BH return of service winners over the last two games.... and Edberg can't seem to find a safe spot to land his serve
Just the one break in the third set. A poor game from Edberg. He saves two break points to get to deuce, but then misses an unnecessarily attacking BH inside-out and yields the break by missing a makeable enough BHV that I've marked it a UE (though it wasn't easy). And Becker nurses the break to the end to finish a comfortable straight sets winner
Playing Dynamics & Statistics
Becker's movement - the one area where he trails Edberg significantly - is as good as I've seen it in this encounter. He slows down after having his thigh strapped (and is broken for the only time immediately afterwards), but no slow-poking about he court in this match from Boris.
With Boris staying back on almost all his second serves and Edberg doing so not infrequently even off his firsts, there's a healthy dose of baseline exchanges. No dawdling though.... both player look to open the court and aggressively finish the point. These come out about even, but the unreliability of the Edberg FH is evident (5 UEs... the most of any groundstroke on show). Its not threatening (unlike Becker's) and when looking to be aggressive, the shot is prone to error.
Note Edberg outdoing Becker on second serve points won (58% to 53%). This indicates that in terms of pure court skills, Edberg may be superior. But far, far away from overriding the handicap he has on the first serve -
First serve points won - Becker 91%, Edberg 57%
Aces/Service Winners - Becker 12, Edberg 3
Unreturned serve percentage - Becker 41%, Edberg 23%
1st serve volley points won - Becker 90% (mostly via unreturned serves), Edberg 61%
Summing up, it all starts and ends with Becker's superiority on serve. Because of it, he can return, volley and pass better. His returning is impressive (10 return winners)…. and would likely top Edberg's even against equal opposition. As it is, he can do double the damage to the Edberg serve (making forceful returns) as Edberg can to his (barely getting the ball in play). His volleying is very good - and has variety that Edberg's lack (drop and stop shots). His passing is powerful and on occasion, balanced with excellent touch. All in all, a clear demonstration of all round superiority from the German
(Will post up stats and report for the '90 final shortly....)
