Is this record unique to Sampras?

[Blocker]

Sampras has beaten a slam champion at that slam in each slam. So for instance:

At the AO, Sampras beat 2 time former AO champion Courier in 1995.

At the FO, Sampras beat 2 time FO champion Bruguera and 2 time FO champion Courier in his 1996 run. Effectively, he eliminated 4 FO champions at RG in 1996.

At Wimbledon, he beat defending champion Stich in 1992 and he beat defending champion Agassi in 1993. In 1999, he beat former champion Agassi again. Note, I’m not counting his Wimbledon wins against Ivanisevic because at those times he beat Ivanisevic, Goran was not yet a Wimbledon champion.

At the USO, he took out defending champion Agassi in the 1995 final and beat him again in the 2002 final.

I’m sure Sampras has beaten other slam champions at that slam but the above results are straight off the top of my head.

Now I’m not suggesting for a minute that this is some mountain of an accomplishment, so please don't go jumping down my throat. I just thought it would be an interesting discussion to have.

I’m sure there are other players who have achieved this as well. Pretty sure Nadal may have, maybe even Federer, but that would depend on his results at RG in his early years. And I'm tipping Connors and Laver may have done so as well. I’m sure someone will prove me correct.

 

[batz]

I don't think any of the top 4 have done this except maybe Rafa (has he beaten an RG champion at RG?).

Noel has 3 of the 4 but I think he lacks RG, same for Roger? Murray has done it at AO and USO.

 

[Blocker]

I don't think any of the top 4 have done this except maybe Rafa (has he beaten an RG champion at RG?).

Noel has 3 of the 4 but I think he lacks RG, same for Roger? Murray has done it at AO and USO.

Nadal beat Federer who is a former FO champion. So yes Nadal has beaten a FO champ at RG.

 

[joeri888]

I don't think any of the top 4 have done this except maybe Rafa (has he beaten an RG champion at RG?).

Noel has 3 of the 4 but I think he lacks RG, same for Roger? Murray has done it at AO and USO.

Roger beat Moya at RG 2005, so Roger's done it too.
Novak beat Roger at RG this year.

 

[Blocker]

Roger beat Moya at RG 2005, so Roger's done it too.
Novak beat Roger at RG this year.

Thanks joeri.

So that's:

Federer
Sampras

Anyone know anyone else who has done it. Maybe just limit it to the men.

 

[joeri888]

Thanks joeri.

So that's:

Federer
Sampras

Anyone know anyone else who has done it. Maybe just limit it to the men.

Novak beat Roger at AO 08 and 11
Federer at RG 2012
Nadal at Wimbledon 2011
Federer at USO 2010, 2011 and Nadal at USO 2011

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

Don't know if Connors has managed this. What ex-champ has he defeated at the FO?


Laver. He can he go one better than Sampras: beat Emerson at the AO, Rosewall at the FO, Newcombe at Wimbledon, and Ashe at the USO all in one year (1969). In fact, that's two better than Pete, since he did it in one year, and also went on to win the tourney in each case. I think that's going to be a pretty singular achievement even if we don't limit it to a single season ~ only "career slammers" [sic] are in contention for that.

I think Lendl might have a shout at having done this. Edberg at the AO ('90), Wilander at the FO ('87)... hmm, struggling at Wimbledon. Beat Edberg and Cash, but before both guys won the title themselves. Guess not.

Nadal's beaten Federer at AO, FO, and Wimbledon, and Roddick at the USO.


Regards,
MDL

 

[Blocker]

Novak beat Roger at AO 08 and 11
Federer at RG 2012
Nadal at Wimbledon 2011
Federer at USO 2010, 2011 and Nadal at USO 2011

Thanks again.

So that's

Djok
Federer
Sampras

so far.

 

[Blocker]

What ex-champ has Connors defeated at the FO?

Laver. He can he go one better than Sampras, beat Emerson at the AO, Rosewall at the FO, Newcombe at Wimbledon, and Ashe at the USO all in one year (1969). In fact, that's two better than Pete, since he did it in one year, and also went on to win the tourney in each case.

I think Lendl might have a shout at having done this. Edberg at the AO ('90), Wilander at the FO ('87)... hmm, struggling at Wimbledon. Beat Edberg and Cash, but before both guys won the title themselves. Guess not.

Nadal's beaten Federer at AO, FO, and Wimbledon, and Roddick at the USO.


Regards,
MDL

Yea I'm only limiting it to champions at the time of the match/win.

So

Nadal
Laver
Djok
Federer
Sampras

That's an elite group thus far.

 

[joeri888]

Rafa beat Roger at AO, RG and W.
He beat Roddick at USO.

 

[Blocker]

Rafa beat Roger at AO, RG and W.
He beat Roddick at USO.

Already counted. But thanks

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

I thought Jim Courier was in with a shout, but ironically I can only see him beating future champs at the French, of all places. He's beaten Edberg at the AO and Wimbledon, and Connors at the USO.

Oooh! Oooh! Got another one ~ Boris Becker! Beat Lendl at the AO ('91), Chang at the FO ('91), Edberg at Wimbledon ('89), and Lendl at the USO ('89).


Regards,
MDL

 

[Blocker]

I thought Jim Courier was in with a shout, but ironically I can only see him beating future champs at the French, of all places. He's beaten Edberg at the AO and Wimbledon, and Connors at the USO.

Oooh! Oooh! Got another one ~ Boris Becker! Beat Lendl at the AO ('91), Chang at the FO ('91), Edberg at Wimbledon ('89), and Lendl at the USO ('89).


Regards,
MDL

Good pick up MDL.

Becker
Nadal
Laver
Djok
Federer
Sampras

 

[mattennis]

Edberg beat Wilander (in the 1990 AusOpen SF, and 1985 AusOpen Final) and Lendl (in the 1992 AusOpen QF), Chang (in the 1996 Roland Garros 3rd round), McEnroe ( 1989 Wimbledon SF ), Becker ( 1988 Wimbledon Final and 1990 Wimbledon Final), Lendl ( 1991 US OPEN QF and 1992 US OPEN QF).

So Edberg is in.

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

Andre Agassi:

Defending champ Sampras at the AO ('95)
Defending champs Chang and Moya at the FO ('90, '99)
McEnroe at Wimbledon ('92)
Defending champ Becker at the USO ('90)


Regards,
MDL

I'm never getting any work done today... :-?

 

[Blocker]

Edberg beat Wilander (in the 1990 AusOpen SF, and 1985 AusOpen Final) and Lendl (in the 1992 AusOpen QF), Chang (in the 1996 Roland Garros 3rd round), McEnroe ( 1989 Wimbledon SF ), Becker ( 1988 Wimbledon Final and 1990 Wimbledon Final), Lendl ( 1991 US OPEN QF and 1992 US OPEN QF).

So Edberg is in.

Good pick up mattennis, thanks.

List so far:

Edberg
Becker
Nadal
Laver
Djok
Federer
Sampras

BTW, if anyone finds anyone else, can you please add to the list so we have a constant update, thanks. Being in Australia, when the rest of the world is awake, I'm asleep so I can't always update when there is an update.

Cheers.

 

[mattennis]

Agassi is in too. He beat:

Sampras in the 1995 AusOpen Final and 2000 AusOpen SF, Kafelnikov in the 2000 AusOpen Final.
Chang in the 1990 Roland Garros QF and Moya in the 1999 Roland Garros 4th round.
Becker in the 1992 Wimbledon QF and McEnroe in the 1992 Wimbledon SF.
Connors in the 1988 and 1989 US OPEN QF, Becker in the 1990 US OPEN SF, Becker again in the 1995 US OPEN SF, Hewitt in the 2002 US OPEN SF.

EDIT: Monsieur DeLarge beat me.

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

Ken Rosewall, surely...?

Yup: beat defending champ Arthur Ashe at '71 AO; Laver at '68 FO; Smith and Newcombe at '74 Wimbledon; and Newcombe at the '70 USO.


List is now (in alphabetical order):
Agassi
Becker
Djokovic
Edberg
Federer
Laver
Nadal
Rosewall
Sampras


Regards,
MDL

 

[BeHappy]

This is a stupid thread, Dominant players end up beating just about everybody. Sampras beat Lendl, McEnroe and Agassi at the US Open alone.

 

[Bobby Jr]

...At the FO, Sampras beat 2 time FO champion Bruguera and 2 time FO champion Courier in his 1996 run. Effectively, he eliminated 4 FO champions at RG in 1996.

This should be a mark of ignominy that he could beat two such accomplished clay-courter but then couldn't back it up and go any further.

Either that or it's evidence that the mid 90s was actually a relatively weak era on clay - making his inability to win a French Open an even bigger blight on his resume.

 

[joeri888]

(@ BeHappy) it would be interesting if we can find a guy who never won a grandslam but beat a slam champ at all four?!

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

it would be interesting if we can find a guy who never won a grandslam but beat a slam champ at all four?!

I'm trying that.

Henri Leconte was my first thought. Or Miloslav Mecir? Karol Kucera was a dark horse when I noticed he beat both Sampras and Agassi in slams when they were defending champs, however his lousy FO record let me down.

I want to check some of the '60s amateurs too, like Drysdale and Okker. Might be someone among that lot.


Regards,
MDL

 

[batz]

Doh! Can't believe I didn't consider Rafa and Nole beating roger @ RG. What a muppet.

Interesting off season thread BTW - nice one OP.

 

[SStrikerR]

Safe to say the record isn't unique to Sampras though.

 

[kOaMaster]

nevermind.

was going to mention marat safin but he never beat a wimbledon champion. novak was only AO-champion back in 2008 and philipousis just managed a final.

 

[FlamEnemY]

And what about defeating a previous champion en route to winning the whole thing?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

(@ BeHappy) it would be interesting if we can find a guy who never won a grandslam but beat a slam champ at all four?!

i've got one: todd martin !!!

AO: edberg (1994), korda(1999), sampras(2001)
RG: wilander (1996)
W: agassi (1994)
USO: wilander (1995)

 

[joeri888]

Hewitt:

Gaudio at FO 2007
Sampras at USO 2001
Ivanisevic at Wimbledon 2004

At the AO though, he beat big names, but not former champs. Beat former finalists Clement and Baghdatis and put up a good fight against winner Djokovic this year. Also beat FUTURE winner Nadal in 2005 and 2004. Haas, Corretja, Moya, Pioline, but no champ

 

[joeri888]

i've got one: todd martin !!!

AO: edberg (1994), korda(1999), sampras(2001)
RG: wilander (1996)
W: agassi (1994)
USO: wilander (1995)

Great find!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

roddick did it too, by the way...

AO: safin (2007), djokovic (2009)
RG: chang (2001)
W: hewitt (2009)
USO: hewitt (2006)

 

[joeri888]

roddick did it too, by the way...

AO: safin (2007), djokovic (2009)
RG: chang (2001)
W: hewitt (2009)
USO: hewitt (2006)

I looked up Roddick, but totally overlooked Chang. Thought my bias that he couldnt have done it at RG was confirmed too easily.

 

[Monsieur_DeLarge]

i've got one: todd martin !!!

AO: edberg (1994), korda(1999), sampras(2001)
RG: wilander (1996)
W: agassi (1994)
USO: wilander (1995)

Darn it, I looked at him twice and didn't spot it!

Well, that's the elusive "non-slam winner who beat slam winners" found then. Hats off to you.


Regards,
MDL

 

[TMF]

This is a stupid thread, Dominant players end up beating just about everybody. Sampras beat Lendl, McEnroe and Agassi at the US Open alone.

Sampras lost 9 times.

US Open win/loss record:
1. Roger Federer 88.89% 64–8
2. Pete Sampras 88.75% 71–9
3. Jimmy Connors 85.09% 97–17
4. Ivan Lendl 84.88% 73–13

In one year alone during his prime, Sampras lost 17 times.

 

[joeri888]

Sampras lost 9 times.

US Open win/loss record:
1. Roger Federer 88.89% 64–8
2. Pete Sampras 88.75% 71–9
3. Jimmy Connors 85.09% 97–17
4. Ivan Lendl 84.88% 73–13

In one year alone during his prime, Sampras lost 17 times.

Please don't start another flamewar. The thread's about something completely different and Sampras was A dominant player. Not THE MOST dominant, but his presence in the 90's was surely dominant.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Sampras is unique in being the most dominant player ever in slam finals with a 78% conversion rate (14/18.).

 

[DropShotArtist]

Sampras is unique in being the most dominant player ever in slam finals with a 78% conversion rate (14/18.).

What are you talking about? Andres Gomez had a 100% conversion rate in slam finals, as did Tomas Muster, Gustavo Kuerten, Gaston Gaudio, Thomas Johanssen, Juan Martin Del Potro and Richard Krajicek, i.e. Sampras' daddy.

 

[kishnabe]

Sampras is unique in being the most dominant player ever in slam finals with a 78% conversion rate (14/18.).

It's pretty easy with a field who don't have the balls to beat Sampras.

 

[Steve0904]

It's pretty easy with a field who don't have the balls to beat Sampras.

No, it's easy considering he never made a French final in his career. Hence the best GS final conversion percentage among anyone with say 10 slams or more, but of course that would imply that he was better on clay than he actually was (he sucked for lack of a better word), so nobody that likes Sampras actually wants to go there.

 

[FlamEnemY]

Sampras is unique in being the most dominant player ever in slam finals with a 78% conversion rate (14/18.).

I'm pretty sure there are players with 100% conversion rate.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

I'm pretty sure there are players with 100% conversion rate.

I'm sure there are a few 1 slam wonders with 100%. Guga is at 100% with 3/3 at the FO, but I don't think there is any one that has won any substantial amount of slams, like over 5 or even over 3, that has a better conversion rate in slam finals than Sampras.

 

[Gut Check]

i've got one: todd martin !!!

AO: edberg (1994), korda(1999), sampras(2001)
RG: wilander (1996)
W: agassi (1994)
USO: wilander (1995)

Now that Todd Martin has been inducted into this club, I'm fairly certain we can reclassify it as an interesting exercise in historical results, but not a high standard of qualification to the list.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Is Sampras the Only Wimbledon Legend ever to be undefeated in Wimbledon finals?

 

[kOaMaster]

I'm sure there are a few 1 slam wonders with 100%. Guga is at 100% with 3/3 at the FO, but I don't think there is any one that has won any substantial amount of slams, like over 5 or even over 3, that has a better conversion rate in slam finals than Sampras.

I was thinking of newcombe (and leaving it to the open era only) but I think he's 6-2 or only 5-2?

 

[Mustard]

Roy Emerson is 12-3 in major finals, with all 3 of the losses coming to Laver in 1962. Emerson won 10 major finals in a row he which he played from 1963-1967, which I believe is an all-time record for a major finals won streak.

Of course, these tournaments were before the open era, so amateurs only.

1961 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Rod Laver (1-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4)
1961 US Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Rod Laver (7-5, 6-3, 6-2)
1962 Australian Championships F: Rod Laver def. Roy Emerson (8-6, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4)
1962 French Championships F: Rod Laver def. Roy Emerson (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 9-7, 6-2)
1962 US Championships F: Rod Laver def. Roy Emerson (6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4)
1963 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Ken Fletcher (6-3, 6-3, 6-1)
1963 French Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Pierre Darmon (3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4)
1964 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle (6-3, 6-4, 6-2)
1964 Wimbledon F: Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle (6-4, 12-10, 4-6, 6-3)
1964 US Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle (6-4, 6-2, 6-4)
1965 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle (7-9, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-1)
1965 Wimbledon F: Roy Emerson def. Fred Stolle (6-2, 6-4, 6-4)
1966 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Arthur Ashe (6-4, 6-8, 6-2, 6-3)
1967 Australian Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Arthur Ashe (6-4, 6-1, 6-4)
1967 French Championships F: Roy Emerson def. Tony Roche (6-1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2)

 

[Cup8489]

Is Sampras the Only Wimbledon Legend ever to be undefeated in Wimbledon finals?

Who cares?

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Safin beat Federer, Sampras and Agassi at the AO.
Kuerten, Ferrero and Agassi at Roland Garros
Djokovic at Wimbledon
Sampras at the USO

 

[kOaMaster]

Safin beat Federer, Sampras and Agassi at the AO.
Kuerten, Ferrero and Agassi at Roland Garros
Djokovic at Wimbledon
Sampras at the USO

djokovic wasn't wimbledon champions when safin beat him.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Safin beat Federer, Sampras and Agassi at the AO.
Kuerten, Ferrero and Agassi at Roland Garros
Djokovic at Wimbledon
Sampras at the USO

good find but djokovic [W, 2008] wasn't a champion at this slam yet.
(agassi [RG, 1998] wasn't either)

 

[DropShotArtist]

I'm sure there are a few 1 slam wonders with 100%. Guga is at 100% with 3/3 at the FO, but I don't think there is any one that has won any substantial amount of slams, like over 5 or even over 3, that has a better conversion rate in slam finals than Sampras.

Thank you for admitting you initial statement was wrong. If you want to talk about 'substantial' number of slams how about we draw that arbitrary line at 15?

 

[merlinpinpin]

Is Sampras the Only Wimbledon Legend ever to be undefeated in Wimbledon finals?

Yes, both Federer and Renshaw did better by adding an 8th final to their 7 titles.