Match Stats/Report - Korda vs Sampras, Grand Slam Cup semi-final, 1993

[Waspsting]

Petr Korda beat Pete Sampras 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(10), 13-11 in the Grand Slam Cup semi-final, 1993 on carpet in Munich, Germany

The unseeded Korda would go onto win the title, beating Michael Stich in the final. Top seed Sampras had recently lost the final of the Year End Championship to Stich

Korda won 211 points, Sampras 221

Sampras serve-volleyed off majority of first serves (all for 4 sets, minority in last set)

Serve Stats
Korda...
- 1st serve percentage (148/213) 69%
- 1st serve points won (105/148) 71%
- 2nd serve points won (35/65) 54%
- Aces 17 (3 second serves)
- Double Faults 6
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (63/213) 30%

Sampras...
- 1st serve percentage (140/219) 64%
- 1st serve points won (109/140) 78%
- 2nd serve points won (39/79) 49%
- Aces 31 (1 second serve), Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 7
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (92/219) 42%

Serve Patterns
Korda served...
- to FH 30%
- to BH 66%
- to Body 4%

Sampras served...
- to FH 44%
- to BH 55%
- to Body 0.5%

Return Stats
Korda made...
- 120 (53 FH, 67 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 8 Winners (4 FH, 4 BH)
- 59 Errors, comprising...
- 9 Unforced (3 FH, 6 BH)
- 50 Forced (22 FH, 28 BH)
- Return Rate (120/212) 57%

Sampras made...
- 144 (42 FH, 102 BH), including 4 runaround FHs & 3 return-approaches
- 5 Winners (5 BH)
- 46 Errors, comprising...
- 24 Unforced (11 FH, 13 BH)
- 22 Forced (5 FH, 17 BH)
- Return Rate (144/207) 70%

Break Points
Korda 4/7 (5 games)
Sampras 5/17 (10 games)

Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Korda 61 (22 FH, 25 BH, 10 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 BHOH)
Sampras 46 (9 FH, 12 BH, 12 FHV, 9 BHV, 4 OH)

Korda's regular FHs - 3 cc, 6 dtl (2 returns), 1 dtl/inside-out, 5 inside-out
- regular BHs - 5 cc, 3 dtl (1 return), 3 inside-out, 1 net chord dribbler return

- 20 passes (7 FH, 13 BH) -
- FHs - 3 cc (2 returns), 3 dtl, 1 lob (probably not clean)
- BHs - 6 cc, 7 dtl (2 returns)

- 5 from serve-volley points - 2 first volleys (1 FHV, 1 BHV) & 3 second volleys (3 FHV)

Sampras had 16 from serve volley points -
- 8 first volleys (5 FHV, 3 BHV)
- 8 second volley (4 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 OH)

- 1 from a return-approach point, a FHV

- FHs - 1 cc, 5 dtl (1 possibly not clean, 2 passes), 2 dtl/inside-out, 1 lob
- BHs - 5 cc returns (1 pass), 2 regular cc passes, 2 dtl (1 return), 1 inside-out/dtl, 1 inside-out pass, 1 inside-in return pass, 2 longline (1 pass),

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Korda 77
- 41 Unforced (17 FH, 16 BH, 4 FHV, 4 BHV)
- 36 Forced (15 FH, 16 BH, 2 FHV, 3 BHV).... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net & 1 BH can reasonably be called a running-down-drop-shot (not at net)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.0

Sampras 80
- 42 Unforced (18 FH, 19 BH, 2 FHV, 3 BHV)... with 1 BH at net
- 38 Forced (16 FH, 16 BH, 1 FHV, 4 BHV, 1 BH1/2V).... with 1 FH at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 47.9

(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 are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)

Net Points & Serve-Volley
Korda was...
- 50/76 (66%) at net, including...
- 22/35 (63%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 18/30 (60%) off 1st serve and...
- 4/5 (80%) off 2nd serve
---
- 0/2 return-approaching
- 1/2 forced back

Sampras was...
- 91/125 (73%) at net, including...
- 70/96 (73%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 64/87 (74%) off 1st serve and...
- 6/9 (67%) off 2nd serve
---
- 2/3 (67%) return-approaching
- 0/1 forced back

Match Report
High quality, all court affair and obviously, a very long one. On the whole, Sampras has better of things but as fifth set starts and more and more as it goes on, Korda looks more likely winner with Sampras physically fading. He can barely stand, much less move by the end. Court is fast

Korda looking more likely winner is a vague and purely visual perception, based on Sampras clearly and very obviously being very tired and getting more tired with every passing game. As far as actual games go, Sampras has just as good chances - probably slightly better - of gaining the win in the extended decider

Sampras has 5 match points in all, all of the return points

3 in the fourth set tiebreak, the first of them before Korda has his first set point. Korda makes 11/11 first serves in that ‘breaker, which comes at cost of serves not being great ones. Pete’s return lets him a down a little and he misses couple of not difficult returns

For that matter, Pete makes 9/11 first serves and they’re good ones by contrast. He’d won 10/12 points he’d rallied to net for when he comes in again from commanding position at 10-11. Korda pulls off a top class, low percentage BH cc passing winner. Call it a 20% pass (as in, that’s how often he’d make such a winner)

Returning at 4-3 in the decider, Pete’s got 0-40 and Korda commandingly holds from there
Returning at 8-7, Pete reaches 15-40 and has 2 break/match points, which again are deal with well by Korda

All this while, Korda hasn’t had break points. And Pete, who’d serve-volleyed off all first serves for 4 sets, has been doing so less and less in the fifth. But a brilliant game from Korda to break for 9-8 and serve out the match

Terrible choke to get broken back. Pete’s hardly moving and looks ready to drop, but he’s upto putting return in play, and Korda does the rest by knocking 3 third balls in a row out, before giving up another ground UE after a short rally - and match is back on serve at 9-9

Few games later, match is done, with Pete weakening still more. At times, literally making no movement at all. He does show some gumption in knocking away a couple of BH winners to reach 15-30 as Korda serves for match, but doesn’t win another point. Serve weakens as he does, and though the decisive break game before ends with a net chord dribbling return winner, it seems inevitable

Match long, Korda wins 48.8% of the points while serving 49.3% of them
Another way of looking at it is Korda wins 2 fewer points than he serves, Pete 2 more
Not unexpected for Pete to win more points, given he wins his sets 6-3, while losing 2 tiebreaks

Break points - Korda 4/7 (5 games), Sampras 5/17 (10 games)
Clearest indicator of Pete having better of match overall. If anything, it exaggerates how much

Korda serves deceptively. Often times, downright ordinary, but he can slip in wide aces, varies how much he goes on the shot to control in-count, and surprises Pete with switches in direction. Returns steadily (against formidable opposition), occasionally lashing winning returns against stay back opponent on baseline

He largely plays from the baseline. Hard hitting staple, some excellent shot-making off both wings and in various directions. Some sloppiness in giving up third ball UEs. He does not look good at net. All reaction, seemingly no anticipation with a lot of lunging around, but he sets up his approaches well and decisive in finsihing on the volley. And he does what he can on the pass (against very formidable opposition)

Sampras serves well and aggressively, aiming everything wide to stretch Korda out. Serve-volleys off all first serves for 4 sets and less and less in the 5th until virtually not at all by the end. Volleys in line with the court-opening serves, into open side and is very good on that front

Room for improvement in returning. Its probably not a bad day but on the low end of his base ability to miss a few routine/readily makeable returns. Such a close match, such misses at just-so times prove crucial

Contests for control of baseline rallies with Korda is a power match. But its Korda who hits wide to outmanuver and get on attack or goes for (and usually makes) winning shots. Pete’s not passive, but doesn’t push envelope for going for his shots

And ultimately biggest, outcome determining factor is fitness. Sampras’ energy levels are problematically low at start of 5th set and gets lower and lower as it goes on and on. Next to him, Korda looks fresh as daisy. He’s not fit as a daisy - if he were, he’d look to win every game against an opponent who can barely move and doesn’t have strength to serve-volley even, but he has held up very well through a long, gruelling course

Serve & Return
Good serving from both, in different ways

Korda gets excellent 69% first serves in. And raises in in-count at certain stages, while taking something of the serve to do so. He’s judged the balance of in-count and force of serve well. Direction too

He’s got considerable 14 first serve aces, so not a gimme serve. Also not a strong one. That comes to 9% of first serves, which isn’t a high rate. Throw in 4 in last 3 service games, where opponent barely moves for return, and his ace rate is actually quite low. If not a ‘gimme serve’, it’s a not a strong one either

At best of times, whizzes a few genuinely powerful, winning ones off. More often, a readily returnable first serve. However, quality of serve seems to be tailored to Pete’s returning abilities
Pete with 24 return UEs, 22 FEs. With good lot of the FEs on makeable side (also, some lot of UEs on not-easy side). Pete’s generally not an overly consistent returner and his missing substantial lot of routine returns isn’t out of ordinary

 

[Waspsting]

Returns first serves from standard position, but often takes seconds from just inside court. Korda has 3 second serve aces, which he zips by surprising Pete by going out to FH (Korda serves 30% to FH and 66% to BH)

Normal quality returning from Pete, at return rate of 70%. Not bad, not great
Conversely, Korda with 30% unreturneds. Helped by serve-volleying 22% of the time off first serves

Call this contest a small win for Korda. He’s not a strong server and as such, 30% freebies is better outcome for him than it is Pete, without facing too many damaging returns. Korda making most of his limited serve with good choices and a could-do-better on consistency front for Pete’s returning

64% in count for a serve as strong as Pete’s is excellent. He serves aggressively of direction, always aiming wide. Serves just once to the body, which isn’t necessarily a good thing
He’s got 42% unreturned and 30 aces, 2 service winners from first serves or 23% (also has 1 second serve ace). Good figures, and wonderful given how well he volleys (more on that in a bit)

In all, Pete first serve-volleys 87/108 or 81% of the time. More complete picture is 100% of the time for first 4 sets and then dwindling lower and lower as 5th set goes on, until its virtually never near the end

Korda takes a more central return position in ad court in particular, inviting Pete to go out wide to FH. Pete serves 44% to FH, 55% to BH. Its probably not affected much by Korda’s position. Pete generally is apt to go to both wings, with majority to BH. Keeping returner unsure of direction is more his way than persistently pestering BH

Korda returning is decent and a bit like his serving in ability to pull of occasional first class one. He takes swings at returns, not blocks and chips. Average of power, usually above net for pretty comfy first volley. He does return second serves with Pete on baseline well, getting damaging returns wide or deep, including 3 winners, not infrequently. Put another way, a wide, potentially point ending return from Korda against second serve isn’t rare, despite typical powerful second serving from Pete

Play - Baseline, Serve-Volley & Net
Action is all court. There’s serve-volleying, there’s baseline play, there’s approaching from rallying. Staple baseline rallies feature both players edging towards looking to attack at least (there’s little pure, who-blinks-first exchanges), with Korda in particular indulging shot-making (going for winners from near routine positions) and both players ready to go for the winner after drawing weak ball

1st serve-volley frequencies - Korda 22%, Pete 81%
1st serve-volley success - Korda 60%, Pete 74%
1st stay back success - Korda 77%, Pete 62%

Pete volleys beautifully. Open court with serve, not necessarily drawing weak returns while so doing and volley to open side. Barely misses a volley so doing. Korda returning firmly more often than not, not often able to get ball to feet

Its sort of volley-return contest that returner would need volleyer to make a few UEs and hit a few indecisive volleys to leave good-look passes on to make headway (as opposed to returner forcing tough errors or weak volleys to leave good-look passes)

Pete’s both precise and consistent in his volleying
In all, he’s got 25 volley winners, 6 UEs (including a bad BH at net), 7 FEs (including a hard FH at net). Korda’s got 20 passing winners (7 FH, 13 BH). He’s got 31 ground FEs, but signifcant lot of those are non-passes

Low UEs for such a long match stands out for Pete and excellent yield on BH pass from Korda. And the variety. He’s got 6 cc and 5 dtl regular pass winners of the BH. While rarely having good look pass, plenty of hopeless passing errors drawn and maximum 16 BH pass FEs (actual figure would be about 10-12). With just 2 BHs pass winners being return, Korda’s about 1:1 for winners to errors on the BH pass, against excellent volleying. Superb BH passing from Korda

Pete in all wins 73% net points and the same serve-volleying (including 6/9 off second serves)
Korda wins 66% net points and 63% serve-volleying (including 4/5 off second serves)

For starters, his serve is such that he’s liable to have to make a few difficult volleys first up and have a few return winners go by. Wouldn’t be too surprising if it got a thrashing even, though that’d be less likely than not

To follow up, he looks pretty uncertain at net, if not clueless. Seems to react to everything, rather than anticipate, leading to harried, jerky movements and a lot of lunging volleys. Same kind of stuff, Pete moves smoothly into position and makes look easy

Less than half of Korda’s 76 net points are serve-volleys (unlike Pete, for whom about 80% is)
He has 14 volley winners, 8 UEs, 5 FEs
Pete on pass has 9 passing winners and 36 ground FEs, about half of which are passes

So Korda with 2 more UEs, 2 fewer FEs than Pete, coming in 76 times to Pete’s 125
Speaks to his shakiness on the volley (granted, in comparison to a high quality showing from Pete)

But his finishing is good, if again, rushed and uncertain looking. If he seems to reach high or wide volleys at last instant, he slaps them down so they’re not likely to come back. Pete doesn’t get good looks on the pass. Just as a percentage, Pete not doing too well on the pass. Doesn’t get good looks, but you expect him to make some amount of them, but his rate of hitting winner to making errors on the pass isn’t a good one. He probably errs a little in going for too much on the pass. Not because he looks for perfect winners regularly, but because its worth testing Korda on the net high volley to an extent greater than Pete does

To be clear, Korda is good at net and smart to come in and mix in serve-volleying. His looking a little out-of-sorts in forecourt is more a cautionary tale of judging quality from look rather than effectiveness than it is a critique of his net game. And how not-good it looks is undoubtedly influenced by natural frame-of-reference of smooth as can be opponent.

Lots of baseline action - almost all of both players second serve points, most of Korda’s firsts and most of Pete’s in last set. Korda, as the server most often, has head start in it

His first serve draws a few weak or not-strong returns that he take charge of on the third ball. And his second returning is more damaging than Pete’s, so he typically has better starting position for rallies on second serve points too more often than Pete. Numbers have come amazingly symmetrical, with Korda having better of things

In baseline rallies -
- Winners - Korda 24 (12 of each wing), Pete 12 (6 of each wing)
- UEs - Korda 33 (FH 17, BH 16), Pete 36 (18 of each wing)

(throw in overall ground FEs - Korda FH 15, remaining 3 shots with 16, and the symmetary across wings for both players is downright freaky, though those FEs would vary for the two players across baseline and net play)

As stats suggest, action is dual winged, with both cc rallies on show. In neither does either player have hitting advantage. Korda’s FH over Pete’s BH is bigger one than other way around, but its insignificant difference. Both cc rallies are even contest, not the FH outhitting the BH (or vice versa). Korda’s BH being a match for Pete’s FH is relative win for him. Pete’s BH hitting as well as Korda’s FH less so as Korda’s apt to attack in other directions with the FH

Neutral UEs - Korda 20, Pete 18

More of Korda’s would be routine third balls. Not unusual for him to miss the odd routine groundie. For neutrals to be virtually equal, that also means he’s been steadier once rally has got going. Numbers aren’t affected much by the fitness shaped ending. During that time, Pete either misses return or gives up winner but his efforts or consistency in rallying doesn’t falter much

Korda’s BH shot-making is particularly impressive. He’s got 5 cc winners and 3 inside-out ones. Damaging BH inside-out is a nice card to have up one’s sleeve and one that not many players do. Especially when up against a FH like Pete Sampras’

Sampras though never gets gung-ho with the FH and plays orthodox, hard hitting game without trying to blaze winners or winning shots

Korda with double the winners, Korda with fewer UEs, Korda more willing to go for the big winner early (and with more chances to do so, as he stays back on far more first serves) all in his favour. Another big thing thing in his favour is how he utilizes net

Rallying to net -
Korda 28/39 or 72%
Pete 19/26 or 73%

Korda with better chances to get forward, based on serve setting Pete back. For most of match, he comes in a lot more than Pete. Exactly half of Pete’s approaches are in the last set. He’d won 10/12 points he’d rallied to net for when he comes in and loses the last point of the fourth set

Neither players particulalry looking to get forward. Korda a little more willing to manufacture approaches from neutral position, like slicing a routine ball and coming in then Pete is. Its even more to his credit given he’s gotten better of baseline action in all ways, that he’s nailing enough winners from the back to potentially get carried away with it (would call it stupid if he had) and that he doesn’t seem to be too comfy at net

 

[Waspsting]

Gist of baseline action - dual winged, solid, normal stuff. Good stock hitting, both players attacking from there some by going wide, but neither over-doing it or looking to

Korda a little prone to missing routine third ball groundies, but correspondingly more secure once rally gets under way. A little more willing to create an angle to attack from or to manufacture an approach to take net. Korda’s BH’s flairful shot-making is standout feature and he hits some wondeful winners from routine or near routine positions from it, while having even share of hitting match with Sampras powerful stock FH

Match Progression
Sampras serve-volleys off first serves and stays back on seconds at start of match. Korda throws in the odd first serve-volley. Sampras is very consistently returning in the first set, Korda looks to hit wide and open the court and go for winners from the back with judgment

Korda’s down break point in his opening service game, which he takes net to erase before serve-volleying to complete hold. His second game goes to deuce too, and features a stunning point where second serve-volleying Korda drop volleys Pete to net, lob volleys him back to baseline, Pete pulls of a back-to-net retrieval that forces Korda back. Points ends with baseline rally, that Korda ends with a FH inside-out winner

Pete faces break point in 12 point game game after, where he misses groundies, but comes through with unreturned first serves for 3-2

Korda’s at net 4/4 points to hold for 3-3. Tries something similar next go around, but is broken to love in a poor game with 2 BHV UEs, a makeably difficult FHV error and third ball FH dtl winner attempt miss. Pete serves out to 15 to close out the set

Second set is beautiful tennis. Korda bumps his in count to 80%, up from 58% in first set. Pete still has indecisively better of it and has to serve 31 points going into tiebreak, to Korda’s 40. Both players break once

Takes 12 points for Korda to open the set in a choppy baseline error strewn game, studded with a perfect, blocked and well angled BH cc return winner by Pete against wide serve

Korda breaks for 2-0 in a brilliant game. Winners from BH cc from routine position and return-pass winners (BH dtl and FH cc) in succession get him to break point, and Pete double faults to give up the break

Pete breaks back for 2-3 a little later, pinching a net point and finalizing the break with wide winning pass

Good tennis, but no more competitive thrills to the tiebreak. It’s a lovely, net seeking one from Korda whose at net on all 5 of his service points (3 of them serve-volleys, 1 of those a second serve). Wins all the points, most memorable with an intercepted BHOH winner. Pete meanwhile misses an easy BHV early on and an easy BH at net serve-volleying to end the set

Pete breaks for 2-0 to start the 3rd set. He takes net to finish up the net, coming away with the last point after a diving volley to stay in it. He’s able to nurse that break through to the end

Korda serves wider and more aggressively and sends down a bunch of aces and also serve-volleys more regularly for the set. Having saved a break point to force Pete to serve it out, he extends Pete to deuce on the serve-out, with Pete making just 2/8 first serves

The tennis remains good in the fourth set and things get very tense near the end of it. Pete breaks for 2-1, neatly and rarely manufacturing an approach to claim the break. Korda breaks back in time for 3-3 with Pete faltering some with ground UEs and a double fault on break point

On serve, tensions start in earnest before the tiebreak. The last 3 regular games last 14, 14 and 8 points. Pete avoids break point in the 2 games he serves and has 2 break points in the one in between, which had he converted, would have left him serving for match

Good, wide serve by serve-volleying Korda saves the first break point and he second serve-volleys to thwart the second. For that matter, second serve-volleys point after that too, and makes a first 1/2volley before coming away with a FHV winner

Tiereak. Shy of the ‘80 Wimby final, there haven’t been many more tense. Korda makes 11/11 first serves, Pete merely 9/11

Looks like Pete has matters in hand as he takes both return points to open up 4-1 lead. Brilliant running FH dtl pass winner gets him the first of them, Korda missing a very easy FHV hands over the second

Korda has other ideas and hits back with the next 2 points - a BH dtl pass winner after forcing an awkward first FH at net and winning, wide BH cc return against a second serve. 3-4 Korda and on serve

Rest of game stays on serve to the end, so all 6 set points are return points (with Pete’s 3 being match points also). Having messed up at net, Korda desists from serve-volleying
Pete misses a makeable, wide return on first match point
Pete knocks away first volley FHV winner on Korda’s first set point
Korda with a big third ball FH which he takes net behind to tackle second match point
Pete with aces to to level at 9-9 and move ahead 10-9
Most crucially, Pete misses routine returns to lose next 2 points. Both have been marked UEs - the first 1 is not easy, the second is routine

With takes net commandingly at 10-11 and is a very low percentage BH cc pass winner that sees Korda pinch the point and the set with it. He’s played a smart, balanced and very good tiebreak - from adjusting to not serve-volleying to making all first serves, to getting the serve in with just enough force and willing to take net if chance is there for it

5th set is different from rest of match and changes as it moves in. In holding to love to open, Pete stays back of a first serve for first time in the match. In early games, he stays back now and then. If he seems more tired than Korda, he’s still moving well enough and more than competitive

By the end, Pete’s not serve-volleying at all, or moving for returns or looking like he won’t need an IV drop after the match - but it’s a smooth process from start of set to 13-11

Serving at 3-4, Korda’s down 0-40 and 3 break points. Takes net boldly to come away with stretch BHV winner and a well punched FHV one to reach 30-40. Pulls out a BH inside-out winner to save to the last break point. What a shot to go for (and pull off) at a time like that. Couple of unreturend first serves close out the game - the second marked UE

As set goes on, Sampras weakens but remains competitive. Serve is still powerful though he’s not serve-volleying much

At 7-8, Korda falls to 15-40 and 2 more match points for Pete. Another big third ball FH followed by a trip to net and FHV winner saves 1. A just so wide serve draws a return error, skirting lines between UE and FE (its been marked FE). The unreturned first serve that ends the game is more straightforward and has been marked UE

And then a spurt of brilliant from Korda to break. Winners from BH cc, superb running FH dtl pass and a BH cc pass get him to break point, on which Pete bangs a third ball FH winner attempt wide

Horror game from Korda on the would-be serve-out. Starts nicely with a third ball BH cc winner, but misses routine third ball groundies next 3 points. Does better on break point by getting a rally going but blinks up another BH UE - and its 9-9 and back on serve

By this stage, Pete is close to gone gone. Doesn’t move a muscle as 2 aces to go by in his next return game. Even his first serve is down to being unforceful and he probably doesn’t have the strength to follow it to net even if he wanted to

Korda inevitably breaks for 12-11, with Pete missing 3 third ball groundies (1 against a slow, but deep return and one that’s been marked FE due to Pete moving so slowly for it). Net chord dribbling return winner seals the break isn’t as cruel as it might seem as it doesn’t seem likely Pete could hold serve regardless

Pete doesn’t go down quietly (of game). Bangs BH winners dtl and inside-out/dtl after good wide returns to get to 15-30, but that’s’ it for him. Korda knocks away a couple of FH winners and draws a return error in wrapping up the match

Summing up, great match and though likely to be remembered as being decided by stamina issues, with Sampras barely able to stand by the end, the tennis is excellent from both players almost all match, with Korda not trailing by much through it all

Korda serves smartly (balancing force and consistency of a typically average first serve well, and directions) and choosily returns with wide angled, effective aggression while at least swinging at the ball against serve-volleying opponent. He’s the better baseliner - more apt to attack, better shot-maker (especially of the BH), and also more willing to create an approach. Comes to net and serve-volleys considerably too and while unconvincingly busy of look on the volley, is decisive in putting away balls there

Sampras serves beautifully to open the court and volley into open court. And volleys the same with poise, consistency and control. Could do better of returning consistency. Is a hitting match for Korda from the back off both wings and in both cc rallies, but not as able to get on the attack from there

Sampras’ better serve gives him indecisive advantage over four set and conditioning trumps play in the extended decider. Korda is a lot fitter and Sampras weakens more and more as the set skips on and Korda is far stronger player at the end, with his opponent looking like a hospital case

Stats for the other semi-final between Michael Stich and Stefan Edberg - Match Stats/Report - Stich vs Edberg, Grand Slam Cup semi-final, 1993 | Talk Tennis (tennis-warehouse.com)

 

[urban]

I remember watching the match on a Saturday evening. Most impressive was imo Kordas backhand, he hit some backhand while running back and turning around. The commentatator Jürgen Fassbender, a German DC player, said, that was original Rod Laver style. He was right. Rocket also could hit backhand winners over backhand winners. on the run.