Match Stats/Report - Krajicek vs Kafelnikov, Stuttgart Indoor final, 1998

[Waspsting]

Richard Krajicek beat Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the Stuttgart Indoor final, 1998 on indoor hard court

It was 11th seeded Krajicek’s first Masters series title and he defeated Magnus Norman, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic and Pete Sampras to reach the final. 7th seeded Kafelnikov would win the next Slam at the Australian Open the following year and rise to world #1 shortly after that

Krajicek won 88 points, Kafelnikov 66

Krajicek serve-volleyed of all serves bar 3 second serves

Serve Stats
Krajicek...
- 1st serve percentage (48/72) 67%
- 1st serve points won (45/48) 94%
- 2nd serve points won (13/24) 54%
- Aces 21
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (37/72) 52%

Kafelnikov...
- 1st serve percentage (42/82) 51%
- 1st serve points won (32/42) 76%
- 2nd serve points won (20/40) 50%
- Aces 10
- Double Faults 5
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (24/82) 29%

Serve Patterns
Krajicek served...
- to FH 48%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 8%

Kafelnikov served...
- to FH 30%
- to BH 55%
- to Body 16%

Return Stats
Krajicek made...
- 53 (22 FH, 31 BH), including 10 return-approaches
- 2 Winners (2 FH)
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH), including 2 return-approach attempts
- 10 Forced (7 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (53/77) 69%

Kafelnikov made...
- 34 (16 FH, 18 BH)
- 4 Winners (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 16 Errors, all forced...
- 16 Forced (9 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (34/71) 48%

Break Points
Krajicek 4/6 (4 games)
Kafelnikov 0

Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Krajicek 23 (3 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 6 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 5 OH, 1 BHOH)
Kafelnikov 18 (6 FH, 4 BH, 3 FHV, 5 BHV)

Krajicek had 14 from serve-volley points -
- 10 first 'volleys' (2 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 3 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 FH at net, 2 BH at net)... the FH at net was a drop shot and 1 of the BH at net was possibly not clean
- 4 second volleys (1 FHV, 3 OH)

- 4 from return-approach points (1 BHV, 2 OH, 1 BHOH)

- FH returns - 1 cc, 1 inside-out
- BH - 1 dtl

Kafelnikov had 8 passes - 4 returns (1 FH, 3 BH) & 4 regular (3 FH , 1 BH)
- FH return - 1 cc
- BH returns - 1 cc, 1 dtl, 1 inside-out
- regular FHs - 1 cc, 1 dtl, 1 longline/cc
- regular BHs -1

- non-pass FHs - 1 dtl, 1 cc/inside-in

- 5 from serve-volley points -
- 4 first volleys (2 FHV, 2 BHV)... 1 FHV can reasonably be called an OH
- 1 FHV

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Krajicek 23
- 10 Unforced (7 FH, 3 BH)
- 13 Forced (2 FH, 3 BH, 4 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 BH1/2V)... with 1 BH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 49

Kafelnikov 23
- 10 Unforced (5 FH, 2 BH, 1 FHV, 2 BHV)... with1 FH at net
- 13 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH, 1 FH1/2V)... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net & 1 BH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 52

(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
Krajicek was...
- 47/63 (75%) at net, including...
- 36/47 (77%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 24/27 (89%) off 1st serve and...
- 12/20 (60%) off 2nd serves
---
- 7/10 (70%) return-approaching

Kafelnikov was...
- 14/22 (64%) at net, including...
- 8/12 (67%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 7/10 (70%) off 1st serve and...
- 1/2 off 2nd serves

Match Report
This masterpiece from Krajicek is a contender for greatest showing ever as he pushes past a solidly strong Kafelnikov as if he wasn’t there on a very fast, low bouncing court

Breaks to start the match. His first 13 serves for the match go unreturned - the first 1 that doesn't leaves him a putaway groundstroke at net. And goes on to hold his way to taking the set
Breaks second chance he gets in second set. 30-15 down, 3 consecutive chip-charge returns, 3 smash winners - a normal OH, a BHOH and a net-to-net OH. Adds another break to end the set
Breaks first chance he gets in third set with more chip-charges and other approaches - and holds his way to the end

Doesn’t face a break point, so once he’s got the break, it matters little what he does returning or what Kafelnikov does or doesn’t do serving
The not facing a break point bit is where his showing goes into wildest dreams quality. Serves huge, but that’s common place enough. What he does on the volley, isn’t

He doesn’t just regularly make the most difficult volleys imaginable, he hits them for winners. Bullet passes (particularly returns) right at the feet. Or worse, at feet level, but wide. Half-volleys and york volleys (‘yorker’ describes situation where ball, racquet and ground all meet at same point). They go for winners, or are strongly put back in play leaving scant passing shot for the very able passer Kafelnikov to work with

The very best volleyers, on their best days - think Edberg, Rafter, McEnroe - I’d say would miss more than they make of these ‘volleys’, with little hope of any authority behind the ones they don’t miss. Assuming they could even handle such ‘volley’, probably a lined up blast of a pass to deal with next. Much more likely to miss vast bulk than make more than they miss

Krajicek hits them for winners, or hits them with decisive authority. More authority than a typical routine first volley from someone like Sampras. The passing chances thus drawn are full run, touch and go if Kaf can reach the ball, much less hit a strong pass from it

As for regulation volleys? Swept away for winners like clockwork, maximum efficiency, not a hint of a miss

Kraj serve-volleys all but always (stays back on 3 second serves) and is at net 63 times in total

0 UEs there, 8 FEs. The easiest FE is a firm (not bullet fast) pass right on his toe. He probably hits that many winners from similar calibre returns & passes, and makes a good deal more beyond that
Meanwhile, he’s got 20 ‘volley’ winners (2 are half-volleys, 3 are groundstrokes at net - 1 of them tricky but perfectly eased over)

Kraj with winners from all shots - the basic FH, BH, FHV, BHV and OH + the rare FH1/2V, BH1/2V and BHOH. Just the third time I’ve come across this

To be clear, all this is in context of 52% unreturned rate and 21 aces from 48 first serves, so he doesn’t have to face too many volleys to begin with. But high proportion of what he does face is toughest possible stuff. I haven’t seen anyone handle such stuff to anything close to as well as Kraj does. Its almost an afterthought that he’s flawless on anything less than the uber-difficult

 

[Waspsting]

And Kafelnikov? He plays well. He’s left banging and bouncing racquet off the floor in frustration (more often as response to aces and very powerful serves he can’t handle), and looking like his head might be next. Understandable given what he’s up against

Good serve from him too, and he’s got 10 aces from 42 first serves or 24% of time. Not a patch on Kraj’s 44%, but certainly a strong service showing by any normal standard (Kraj’s standard is abnormal and not a reasonable basis for comparison)

Serve-volleys about a quarter of the time off first serves, winning 70% of them. Otherwise, secure off the ground, with sound to hard hitting shots. Comes to net appropriately. 76% first serve points won - excellent (dwarfed by Kraj’s 94%, again, not a reasonable basis for comparison)

Of course, can’t make the return most of the time, but its not for his lacking anything. Serves are simply too good, but that’s expected on a court like this and against Krajicek

Kraj’s first serves are too much, no need for further analysis. He directs healthy second serves at or around Kaf’s body, which causes difficulties too. What returns Kaf can make are top notch - which leads to all the fun stuff with difficult ‘volleys’ described earlier

Suffers Kraj’s chip-charge returns, which are first rate. Sans double faults - which he’s pressured into some for fear of the chip-charges and Kraj’s chip-charges, Kaf wins very high 17/25 of his second serve points or 68% (that includes 2 would be chip-charge return errors). Its kind of court where one would expect a strong server to win bulk of 2nd serve points - but that 68% is indicator of how well Kaf plays

Fat lot of good it does him - once Kraj goes up a break, Kaf could win 100% of his service points and it wouldn’t matter as long as Kraj keeps holding. And between his serve and his volleying, he seems almost impossible to break. Just 1 double fault too, while sending down hefty second serves - which they have to be for him to serve-volley behind

And what of Kraj’s return game? He hammers a few FH returns - against both serves. Large wing span lets him reach wide serves well. Just 10 return FEs is very good, given he's aced 10 times.
His movements are excellent. BH steady, FH the most powerful groundstroke on show and he goes for his shots off that wing, without getting wild with it

10 ground UEs (7 of them FHs) to Kaf’s 6. A loss he can take since they’re in return games and he has license to go after FHs. Just 2 winner attempts UEs to 5 attacking ones, so not going too crazy

Kaf’s low error rate another indicator of how well he plays. Kraj isn’t just a tough baseline opponent, but of the dangerous variety

Very secure BH play from both players (Kraj has 3 UEs, Kaf 2). With brilliance at net so commonplace, it’s a baseline point that stands out most, where Kraj hits a series of slices, each clinging to the ground, seemingly a little lower than the last that Kaf bops back cc. Until Kraj dispatches one such rejoinder BH dtl for winner. His only ground-to-ground BH winner

Coincidentally, total errors and their breakdown are identical - both with 23 errors (10 UEs, 13 FEs). No real signficance to it, but cute

Match Progression
Kraj starts the match by rallying his way to net and deftly line BHV’ng a winner. He adds another later in the game, as well as picks up a point return-approaching. Couple of double faults from Kaf completes the break

4 unreturned serves to consolidate (2 aces)

Kraj biffs a return winner in third game after another Kaf double to reach 0-30, before Kaf gets it together to hold

4 unreturned serves (2 aces)

Kaf drops the double faults for a couple of aces of his own and shows he can serve-volley some too to hold

4 unreturned serves (3 aces)

A bit later, Kaf finally makes a return (Kraj’s freebie run gets him to 15-0). Easiest putaway BH at net there can be. Easy first FHV winner to follow. Then the real fun begins. Kaf gets a good low return off, but Kraj handles it to win the point

Fun’s in full flow as Kraj serves for the set, having not lost a point on serve all match. The power returns rain down - including BH winners (inside-out and dtl) + a regular FH dtl pass winner after a low volley by Kraj. That makes it deuce and Kaf hammers the next return even harder and wider. Kraf FH1/2Vs it for a winner and closes the set with an ace

More of the same from Kaf in his first return game of the second set and its aces this time that sees Kraj hold a deuce game for 1-1. Next game though, Kraj strikes with chip-charge returns. From 30-15, he chip-charges 3 times in a row, finishing everyone with a smash winner (1 a BHOH)

Rest of set, Kraj is off hitting winners from his shoes when he’s not hitting aces. Kaf’s getting frustrated, bouncing his racquet off the court several times. Kraj breaks again to end the set. The penultimate point is the BH dtl winner described earlier

Kraj double faults for the only time in the match in his opening hold of the third set. And breaks in his first return game by crowding net

Consolidates to love with 4 unreturned serves (2 aces)

This set turns out to be drop from Kraj. As in, he actually misses a few almost impossible volleys. Still makes a BH1/2V winner though. Kaf’s returning is just as potent as earlier. His reward is Kraj doesn’t have another love hold

Kraj serves out to 15 in due time, finishing with routine first BHV winner

Summing up, mind-boggling performance from Krajicek. His serve being irresistible isn’t out of the ordinary but his handling of the most difficult volleys and half-volleys - bullet hard returns right to his feet or at feet level but wide - is anything but. Not only does he not miss such balls, he hits most of them for winners somehow, or leaves improbable passing chances

Meanwhile, he utilizes net play and chip-charge returns to break early as possible every set. Bashes a few returns, is dangerous with his powerful FH and secure of the BH in baseline rallies

Though pushed out the match, Kafelnikov plays a good match too. Good serve, some excellent return-passing (which gets him precious little), sound but hard hitting groundgame with successful trips to net, including serve-volleying tossed in

It gets him routine straight setted, without seeing a break point. Top marks for Krajicek

Beyond all that, this whole tournament looks like quite a run for Krajicek. Other than soon to be #1 Kafelnikov, his other opponents were future and former #2s Magnus Norman and Goran Ivaniseivc and #1s/legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras

 

[Moose Malloy]

would you happen you know how many consecutive points Krajicek won on first serve?

 

[Waspsting]

would you happen you know how many consecutive points Krajicek won on first serve?

From start, 16
Break of 1, then 20
Ends match on unbroken run of 7

 

[Drob]

Richard Krajicek beat Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the Stuttgart Indoor final, 1998 on indoor hard court

It was 11th seeded Krajicek’s first Masters series title and he defeated Magnus Norman, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic and Pete Sampras to reach the final. 7th seeded Kafelnikov would win the next Slam at the Australian Open the following year and rise to world #1 shortly after that

Krajicek won 88 points, Kafelnikov 66

Krajicek serve-volleyed of all serves bar 3 second serves

Serve Stats
Krajicek...
- 1st serve percentage (48/72) 67%
- 1st serve points won (45/48) 94%
- 2nd serve points won (13/24) 54%
- Aces 21
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (37/72) 52%

Kafelnikov...
- 1st serve percentage (42/82) 51%
- 1st serve points won (32/42) 76%
- 2nd serve points won (20/40) 50%
- Aces 10
- Double Faults 5
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (24/82) 29%

Serve Patterns
Krajicek served...
- to FH 48%
- to BH 44%
- to Body 8%

Kafelnikov served...
- to FH 30%
- to BH 55%
- to Body 16%

Return Stats
Krajicek made...
- 53 (22 FH, 31 BH), including 10 return-approaches
- 2 Winners (2 FH)
- 14 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH), including 2 return-approach attempts
- 10 Forced (7 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (53/77) 69%

Kafelnikov made...
- 34 (16 FH, 18 BH)
- 4 Winners (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 16 Errors, all forced...
- 16 Forced (9 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (34/71) 48%

Break Points
Krajicek 4/6 (4 games)
Kafelnikov 0

Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Krajicek 23 (3 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 6 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 5 OH, 1 BHOH)
Kafelnikov 18 (6 FH, 4 BH, 3 FHV, 5 BHV)

Krajicek had 14 from serve-volley points -
- 10 first 'volleys' (2 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 3 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 FH at net, 2 BH at net)... the FH at net was a drop shot and 1 of the BH at net was possibly not clean
- 4 second volleys (1 FHV, 3 OH)

- 4 from return-approach points (1 BHV, 2 OH, 1 BHOH)

- FH returns - 1 cc, 1 inside-out
- BH - 1 dtl

Kafelnikov had 8 passes - 4 returns (1 FH, 3 BH) & 4 regular (3 FH , 1 BH)
- FH return - 1 cc
- BH returns - 1 cc, 1 dtl, 1 inside-out
- regular FHs - 1 cc, 1 dtl, 1 longline/cc
- regular BHs -1

- non-pass FHs - 1 dtl, 1 cc/inside-in

- 5 from serve-volley points -
- 4 first volleys (2 FHV, 2 BHV)... 1 FHV can reasonably be called an OH
- 1 FHV

Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Krajicek 23
- 10 Unforced (7 FH, 3 BH)
- 13 Forced (2 FH, 3 BH, 4 FHV, 1 BHV, 3 BH1/2V)... with 1 BH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 49

Kafelnikov 23
- 10 Unforced (5 FH, 2 BH, 1 FHV, 2 BHV)... with1 FH at net
- 13 Forced (3 FH, 9 BH, 1 FH1/2V)... with 1 FH running-down-drop-shot at net & 1 BH running-down-drop-shot at net
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 52

(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
Krajicek was...
- 47/63 (75%) at net, including...
- 36/47 (77%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 24/27 (89%) off 1st serve and...
- 12/20 (60%) off 2nd serves
---
- 7/10 (70%) return-approaching

Kafelnikov was...
- 14/22 (64%) at net, including...
- 8/12 (67%) serve-volleying, comprising...
- 7/10 (70%) off 1st serve and...
- 1/2 off 2nd serves

Match Report
This masterpiece from Krajicek is a contender for greatest showing ever as he pushes past a solidly strong Kafelnikov as if he wasn’t there on a very fast, low bouncing court

Breaks to start the match. His first 13 serves for the match go unreturned - the first 1 that doesn't leaves him a putaway groundstroke at net. And goes on to hold his way to taking the set
Breaks second chance he gets in second set. 30-15 down, 3 consecutive chip-charge returns, 3 smash winners - a normal OH, a BHOH and a net-to-net OH. Adds another break to end the set
Breaks first chance he gets in third set with more chip-charges and other approaches - and holds his way to the end

Doesn’t face a break point, so once he’s got the break, it matters little what he does returning or what Kafelnikov does or doesn’t do serving
The not facing a break point bit is where his showing goes into wildest dreams quality. Serves huge, but that’s common place enough. What he does on the volley, isn’t

He doesn’t just regularly make the most difficult volleys imaginable, he hits them for winners. Bullet passes (particularly returns) right at the feet. Or worse, at feet level, but wide. Half-volleys and york volleys (‘yorker’ describes situation where ball, racquet and ground all meet at same point). They go for winners, or are strongly put back in play leaving scant passing shot for the very able passer Kafelnikov to work with

The very best volleyers, on their best days - think Edberg, Rafter, McEnroe - I’d say would miss more than they make of these ‘volleys’, with little hope of any authority behind the ones they don’t miss. Assuming they could even handle such ‘volley’, probably a lined up blast of a pass to deal with next. Much more likely to miss vast bulk than make more than they miss

Krajicek hits them for winners, or hits them with decisive authority. More authority than a typical routine first volley from someone like Sampras. The passing chances thus drawn are full run, touch and go if Kaf can reach the ball, much less hit a strong pass from it

As for regulation volleys? Swept away for winners like clockwork, maximum efficiency, not a hint of a miss

Kraj serve-volleys all but always (stays back on 3 second serves) and is at net 63 times in total

0 UEs there, 8 FEs. The easiest FE is a firm (not bullet fast) pass right on his toe. He probably hits that many winners from similar calibre returns & passes, and makes a good deal more beyond that
Meanwhile, he’s got 20 ‘volley’ winners (2 are half-volleys, 3 are groundstrokes at net - 1 of them tricky but perfectly eased over)

Kraj with winners from all shots - the basic FH, BH, FHV, BHV and OH + the rare FH1/2V, BH1/2V and BHOH. Just the third time I’ve come across this

To be clear, all this is in context of 52% unreturned rate and 21 aces from 48 first serves, so he doesn’t have to face too many volleys to begin with. But high proportion of what he does face is toughest possible stuff. I haven’t seen anyone handle such stuff to anything close to as well as Kraj does. Its almost an afterthought that he’s flawless on anything less than the uber-difficult

Wow!

Can you get a couple of Richard's earlier matches from this tournament. I wonder if he was so perfect all week. Must have been awfully strong. Some impressive victories.

Incidentally, ATP credits Krajicek w two M1000 titles (Super Nines), with this being the first, as you mention. I have him down for three other M1000 Equivalents from previous years - Lombardia Int'l '92 (Milan); EEC '92 (Antwerp) and Stuttgart '95 before it was designated Super Nine. So I have him at the semi-magic 5 number for Masters.

I'd love to know more about this tournament. I don't know Krajicek really. Obviously he could bring it as hard and precise as anyone, just not too often, I guess.

 

[mental midget]

man that is quite a run to the final as well...guy must have been zoning the whole week.

 

[Gizo]

This was an insane run by Krajicek. He was only broken twice during his 5 matches.

I know that he didn’t face a single break point during his R2 win against Agassi. He wasn’t broken at all during his SF win against Sampras - the ATP website also says that he didn’t face a single break point but a newspaper article summarising the match at the time said that he faced 1. I can’t remember what’s correct there.

Regardless, beating Agassi, Ivanisevic, Sampras and Kafelnikov in succession, only being broken once (by Ivanisevic) and only facing 2 or 3 break points in those 4 matches (depending on whether or not Sampras had a break point in their SF) was some feat.

Kafelnikov was regularly a ‘punching bag’ or victim during these impressive super 9 / master series title runs during the late 90s - early 00s.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

I really dig your write-ups on those Krajicek matches. One of my favourite players and the 96 QF against Pete was far from being his only GOAT like performance. That guy had an incredibly heigh ceiling when on, such a shame he was inconsistent and injury-ridden.

 

[007]

Not sure if it was this exact match but I recall one TV commentator stating Krajicek was "virtually unplayable" at times.....this sounds like one of them

 

[buscemi]

This was an insane run by Krajicek. He was only broken twice during his 5 matches.

I know that he didn’t face a single break point during his R2 win against Agassi. He wasn’t broken at all during his SF win against Sampras - the ATP website also says that he didn’t face a single break point but a newspaper article summarising the match at the time said that he faced 1. I can’t remember what’s correct there.

Regardless, beating Agassi, Ivanisevic, Sampras and Kafelnikov in succession, only being broken once (by Ivanisevic) and only facing 2 or 3 break points in those 4 matches (depending on whether or not Sampras had a break point in their SF) was some feat.

Kafelnikov was regularly a ‘punching bag’ or victim during these impressive super 9 / master series title runs during the late 90s - early 00s.

Really nice rivalry that Kafelnikov and Krajicek had, with Kafelnikov taking it 5-4 after winning their last two matches: (1) their epic 1999 U.S. Open QF, which Kafelnikov won in five sets, winning all of his sets in tiebreakers; and (2) a match in Cincinnati the next year, which Kafelnikov took in three sets.

 

[Waspsting]

I really dig your write-ups on those Krajicek matches. One of my favourite players and the 96 QF against Pete was far from being his only GOAT like performance. That guy had an incredibly heigh ceiling when on, such a shame he was inconsistent and injury-ridden.

I remember wondering back then how this guy (and Stich) ever lost

The similarities between him and Sampras are uncanny - the high lot of FH at net and OH first volleys, the preferance for drop volleys to finish, the handling of shoelace volleys, the huge FH

His serve is a bigger and he's not quite as quick

I'd love to know more about this tournament. I don't know Krajicek really. Obviously he could bring it as hard and precise as anyone, just not too often, I guess.

Commentry on some match (i think '96 Wimby final) quote Andre Agassi as having said of Krajicek that "he gets injured looking at the court"

I wonder if he was so perfect all week. Must have been awfully strong. Some impressive victories.

My guess would have been no way, but Gizo's comments has me wondering otherwise

Will look into other matches from the run if I can find them

I know that he didn’t face a single break point during his R2 win against Agassi. He wasn’t broken at all during his SF win against Sampras - the ATP website also says that he didn’t face a single break point but a newspaper article summarising the match at the time said that he faced 1. I can’t remember what’s correct there.

Regardless, beating Agassi, Ivanisevic, Sampras and Kafelnikov in succession, only being broken once (by Ivanisevic) and only facing 2 or 3 break points in those 4 matches (depending on whether or not Sampras had a break point in their SF) was some feat.

Thanks for the info

There's one other run I'm curious about. Do you remeber anything about Magnus Larsson's run at the '94 Grand Slam Cup?

I statted the final with Sampras - great match, top-drawer showings from both players

His other wins were against Edberg (8-6 in the third, with an extended 2nd set tiebreak), Agassi (last set bagel) and straight sets over Martin

@Moose Malloy - couple of other consecutive first serve points won streaks you might be interested in

2016 Cincy final, Marin Cilic finished on unbroken run of 17
2004 Madrid final, Marat Safin finished on unbroken run of 19

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

I remember wondering back then how this guy (and Stich) ever lost

The similarities between him and Sampras are uncanny - the high lot of FH at net and OH first volleys, the preferance for drop volleys to finish, the handling of shoelace volleys, the huge FH

Stich was a head case from time to time and neither his serve nor his volleys were as good as Rick’s. He of course had a great backhand but his forehand was nothing special. Better returns and passes than Rick, however the latter turned into super mode here most of the times he played Pete.

 

[Drob]

.

I have wondered also. The 1994 edition of GSC was particularly strong.

 

[Drob]

Oooppps

was re this comment

There's one other run I'm curious about. Do you remeber anything about Magnus Larsson's run at the '94 Grand Slam Cup?

 

[NedStark]

I remember wondering back then how this guy (and Stich) ever lost

The similarities between him and Sampras are uncanny - the high lot of FH at net and OH first volleys, the preferance for drop volleys to finish, the handling of shoelace volleys, the huge FH

His serve is a bigger and he's not quite as quick

Pete had better rally BH (Krajicek mostly sliced his BH) and ROS. Plus, Pete (and Becker) volleys were still above Krajicek’s level even though both had excellent volleys.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

I watched the match today and you are definitely right on your assessment of Rick's volleying being the best in any match I ever watched. Kafelnikov returns pretty well actually. Krajicek's service game to win the first set 6-4 could well be the best return game in history that does not end up in a break. Kafelnikov hits two service return winners, another very good return at Krajicek's feet which Rick gets back with authority and after another volley Kafelnikov makes the passing error. Then there are two serves where Krajicek goes for the lines, which could well be aces but Kafelnikov gets them back with incredible angle just for Rick hitting two amazing half volley winners. Last but not least there is a very great, deep return where Rick has to hit a 'yorker' on the line and Kafelnikov makes a great passing shot. So against a server like Rick, Kafelnikov makes six amazing returns in one single game, all of which would likely let him win the point against 99% of players in history but Rick still wins three of those. An ace and another service winner get him the game.

Also a great game is when Rick breaks Kafelnikov for 2-1 lead in the second. Rick hits four volley winners here by constantly chip-charging and coming to the net in the rally. He hits two overheads, another backhand overhead, and a tough to make second volley.

One of the best matches I watched since a long time.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Match has been uploaded on Youtube three months ago.

 

[NedStark]

I watched the match today and you are definitely right on your assessment of Rick's volleying being the best in any match I ever watched. Kafelnikov returns pretty well actually. Krajicek's service game to win the first set 6-4 could well be the best return game in history that does not end up in a break. Kafelnikov hits two service return winners, another very good return at Krajicek's feet which Rick gets back with authority and after another volley Kafelnikov makes the passing error. Then there are two serves where Krajicek goes for the lines, which could well be aces but Kafelnikov gets them back with incredible angle just for Rick hitting two amazing half volley winners. Last but not least there is a very great, deep return where Rick has to hit a 'yorker' on the line and Kafelnikov makes a great passing shot. So against a server like Rick, Kafelnikov makes six amazing returns in one single game, all of which would likely let him win the point against 99% of players in history but Rick still wins three of those. An ace and another service winner get him the game.

Also a great game is when Rick breaks Kafelnikov for 2-1 lead in the second. Rick hits four volley winners here by constantly chip-charging and coming to the net in the rally. He hits two overheads, another backhand overhead, and a tough to make second volley.

One of the best matches I watched since a long time.

If this was Krajicek’s bread-and-butter volleying performance rather than just peak display then he, not Edberg, would have been the GOAT volleyer.

IMO, Krajicek would have displaced Sampras at Wimbledon and the indoor season starting from 1996 had he been able to repeat his 1996 grass tennis the same way Rafter won back-to-back US Open titles. His peak level is actually higher than peak Sampras because at his peak he could out-serve Sampras easily.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

If this was Krajicek’s bread-and-butter volleying performance rather than just peak display then he, not Edberg, would have been the GOAT volleyer.

IMO, Krajicek would have displaced Sampras at Wimbledon and the indoor season starting from 1996 had he been able to repeat his 1996 grass tennis the same way Rafter won back-to-back US Open titles. His peak level is actually higher than peak Sampras because at his peak he could out-serve Sampras easily.

I am a big Kraj fan but not sure whether that maybe goes to far. Kraj’s 96 and Pete from the 95 final would be an epic battle with close to 50/50 chances. Of course if Kraj regularly volleyed like in that 98 Stuttgart final he would beat Pete but that level is so crazily high that nobody will ever be able to bring it on a consistent level. As for the Edberg/Kraj comparison: I echo @Waspsting here and stand by his view that this volleying level of Kraj is better than everything I have ever seen from both Edberg and Mac or any other player. That being said, this catch is more or less a coincidence and I haven’t watched every match of Ed not even close too. Not to be ruled out, that there are more unknown matches in indoor tournaments where he displayed similar performances (I intentionally don’t write better because it is not really possible to improve what Kraj did on the volley here).

 

[NedStark]

I am a big Kraj fan but not sure whether that maybe goes to far. Kraj’s 96 and Pete from the 95 final would be an epic battle with close to 50/50 chances. Of course if Kraj regularly volleyed like in that 98 Stuttgart final he would beat Pete but that level is so crazily high that nobody will ever be able to bring it on a consistent level. As for the Edberg/Kraj comparison: I echo @Waspsting here and stand by his view that this volleying level of Kraj is better than everything I have ever seen from both Edberg and Mac or any other player. That being said, this catch is more or less a coincidence and I haven’t watched every match of Ed not even close too. Not to be ruled out, that there are more unknown matches in indoor tournaments where he displayed similar performances (I intentionally don’t write better because it is not really possible to improve what Kraj did on the volley here).

I see your points here. Agree on the second part. On the first part, I think Krajicek has a slight edge because the serve-return battle dynamic between those two was more often than not in Rick’s favour.

Krajicek’s fundamental problems are injuries and the fact that the gap between his peak and his normal tennis was too huge. You really can sum up his career by taking a look at the 1996 Grand Slam Cup.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

I see your points here. Agree on the second part. On the first part, I think Krajicek has a slight edge because the serve-return battle dynamic between those two was more often than not in Rick’s favour.

Krajicek’s fundamental problems are injuries and the fact that the gap between his peak and his normal tennis was too huge. You really can sum up his career by taking a look at the 1996 Grand Slam Cup.

He is still the by far best volleyer from the big servers like Goran, Karlovic, Roddick, Arthurs and so on. When on (which was usually the case against Pete) his returns and passes were also great. He had all the potential, too bad he lacked consistency.
And yeah getting destroyed by Washington is really not a good result for a player of his calibre in 96.

 

[TheFifthSet]

I watched the match today and you are definitely right on your assessment of Rick's volleying being the best in any match I ever watched. Kafelnikov returns pretty well actually. Krajicek's service game to win the first set 6-4 could well be the best return game in history that does not end up in a break. Kafelnikov hits two service return winners, another very good return at Krajicek's feet which Rick gets back with authority and after another volley Kafelnikov makes the passing error. Then there are two serves where Krajicek goes for the lines, which could well be aces but Kafelnikov gets them back with incredible angle just for Rick hitting two amazing half volley winners. Last but not least there is a very great, deep return where Rick has to hit a 'yorker' on the line and Kafelnikov makes a great passing shot. So against a server like Rick, Kafelnikov makes six amazing returns in one single game, all of which would likely let him win the point against 99% of players in history but Rick still wins three of those. An ace and another service winner get him the game.

Also a great game is when Rick breaks Kafelnikov for 2-1 lead in the second. Rick hits four volley winners here by constantly chip-charging and coming to the net in the rally. He hits two overheads, another backhand overhead, and a tough to make second volley.

One of the best matches I watched since a long time.

Thirded. Finally watched the match and it was perhaps the best three sets of tennis I’ve ever seen on an indoor court.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Thirded. Finally watched the match and it was perhaps the three best sets of tennis I’ve ever seen on an indoor court.

The thing about this match is that for what I see, Kafelnikov as well is playing above his usual level. His ballstriking is very clean and his returns (when he get to them) are spectacular. The German commentators of the match even call him the best returner in the game at one point which surprised me as I thought it was common wisdom back then that it was Agassi. It definitely was in 99 during the Pete matches when commentators mentioned it regularly.
The fact that such an outstanding performance gives Kaf precious little as he still gets straight setted without sniffing a break point shows again how great Kraj played.

 

[buscemi]

Krajicek played amazing back-to-back matches against Kafelnikov in 1998/1999. The first was this win in the 1998 Stuttgart final. A year later, they played in the U.S. Open quarterfinal, and Krajicek served lights out, with a then-record 48 aces. But Kafelnikov elevated his game and his passing shots, squeaking out the victory, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 7-6. Overall, Yevgeny took the H2H, 5-4.

 

[JasonZ]

Krajicek played amazing back-to-back matches against Kafelnikov in 1998/1999. The first was this win in the 1998 Stuttgart final. A year later, they played in the U.S. Open quarterfinal, and Krajicek served lights out, with a then-record 48 aces. But Kafelnikov elevated his game and his passing shots, squeaking out the victory, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 7-6. Overall, Yevgeny took the H2H, 5-4.

yeah that uso 1999 was a great match, krajicek must have felt like federer after his 2019 wimbledon final defeat.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Krajicek played amazing back-to-back matches against Kafelnikov in 1998/1999. The first was this win in the 1998 Stuttgart final. A year later, they played in the U.S. Open quarterfinal, and Krajicek served lights out, with a then-record 48 aces. But Kafelnikov elevated his game and his passing shots, squeaking out the victory, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 7-6. Overall, Yevgeny took the H2H, 5-4.

Think it was even 49 aces. Not that it makes a difference lol.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

What I am curious about after watching the match and the German commentator naming Kafelnikov the best returner in the game, has anyone who followed tennis in the 90s heard similar assessment? I always thought common wisdom was that it was Agassi, even though it might be a little biased perception as I often watcbed Agassi - Sampras matches where they marketed this best server vs best returner narrative. I am no expert in Kafelnikov but never heard that he was perceived as an exceptional returner. I did read an interview with Muster in 95 though where he said Kafelnikov was his pick for maybe having a chance to win all four slams one day (another statement that surprised me).

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Thirded. Finally watched the match and it was perhaps the best three sets of tennis I’ve ever seen on an indoor court.

Given that I suspect you have watched matches like Pete-Andre YEC 99 final or Pete-Becker 96 YEC final that means something.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Krajicek had 14 from serve-volley points -
- 10 first 'volleys' (2 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 3 BHV, 1 BH1/2V, 1 FH at net, 2 BH at net)... the FH at net was a drop shot and 1 of the BH at net was possibly not clean
- 4 second volleys (1 FHV, 3 OH)

- 4 from return-approach points (1 BHV, 2 OH, 1 BHOH)

- FH returns - 1 cc, 1 inside-out
- BH - 1 dtl

I think here the two volley winners from Kraj in the very first game are missing. Where he rallied to the net.

 

[Waspsting]

I think here the two volley winners from Kraj in the very first game are missing. Where he rallied to the net.

They always are

For groundies, I give all the winners (direction, pass or not)
For volleys, just the serve-volley ones and return-approach ones... not the ones rallying to net

 

[tkramer15]

What I am curious about after watching the match and the German commentator naming Kafelnikov the best returner in the game, has anyone who followed tennis in the 90s heard similar assessment? I always thought common wisdom was that it was Agassi, even though it might be a little biased perception as I often watcbed Agassi - Sampras matches where they marketed this best server vs best returner narrative. I am no expert in Kafelnikov but never heard that he was perceived as an exceptional returner. I did read an interview with Muster in 95 though where he said Kafelnikov was his pick for maybe having a chance to win all four slams one day (another statement that surprised me).

Agassi was of course a stellar returner, but he would still get aced quite a bit by the best servers. His reputation was perhaps more built on his returning aggressiveness -- When he guessed right, Agassi often took compact, yet violent flat swings at returns that tipped the point in his favor. The server/returner marketing with Sampras and Agassi undoubtedly added to this narrative, as you said.

I haven't re-watched Kafelnikov matches in awhile nor do I specifically recall such a sentiment being uttered back then, but it makes sense. At 6'3", Kafelnikov had good reach, certainly more than Agassi. His two-handed backhand was rock solid. Again, while Agassi's backhand deservedly got significant hype, Kafelnikov's was right there. I've long maintained that Kafelnikov was arguably the best all surface player for close to a decade (from 1994 through about 2002). He was about as equal of a threat to make a deep run at any tournament on any surface anywhere. Outside of maybe a really locked in Agassi during his best stretches during the '90s and early 2000s, you couldn't say that about anyone else (and Agassi's RG title in '99 occurred when he was in a mini-slump, dealing with a shoulder issue and certainly not considered a serious contender).

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

I've long maintained that Kafelnikov was arguably the best all surface player for close to a decade (from 1994 through about 2002). He was about as equal of a threat to make a deep run at any tournament on any surface anywhere.

You are definitely right on that one and it was not an uncommon view. Have a gander at that one:

»GNADENLOS SADISTISCH«

SPIEGEL: Herr Muster, warum spielen Sie nicht in Wimbledon? Muster: Ich habe in diesem Frühjahr sechs Sandplatzturniere gespielt, das war sehr, sehr viel Tennis. Mit Wimbledon wäre die Saison zu lang. SPIEGEL: Ihre Kollegen stellen die gesamte Planung…

www.spiegel.de

It’s in German but deepl might do the trick. Muster in 95 essentially says that Kafelnikov and Medvedev would be complete Allrounder and his two picks to maybe win all four slams.

 

[buscemi]

Agassi was of course a stellar returner, but he would still get aced quite a bit by the best servers. His reputation was perhaps more built on his returning aggressiveness -- When he guessed right, Agassi often took compact, yet violent flat swings at returns that tipped the point in his favor. The server/returner marketing with Sampras and Agassi undoubtedly added to this narrative, as you said.

I haven't re-watched Kafelnikov matches in awhile nor do I specifically recall such a sentiment being uttered back then, but it makes sense. At 6'3", Kafelnikov had good reach, certainly more than Agassi. His two-handed backhand was rock solid. Again, while Agassi's backhand deservedly got significant hype, Kafelnikov's was right there. I've long maintained that Kafelnikov was arguably the best all surface player for close to a decade (from 1994 through about 2002). He was about as equal of a threat to make a deep run at any tournament on any surface anywhere. Outside of maybe a really locked in Agassi during his best stretches during the '90s and early 2000s, you couldn't say that about anyone else (and Agassi's RG title in '99 occurred when he was in a mini-slump, dealing with a shoulder issue and certainly not considered a serious contender).

Yeah, I mean it makes sense, right? Between Michael Chang, who was born in 1972, and Lleyton Hewitt, who was born in 1981, who else had a great return of serve outside Kefalnikov (born in 1974)?

I think Yevgeny would be the clear best returner born from 1973-1980.

 

[Angrybirdstar]

Yeah, I mean it makes sense, right? Between Michael Chang, who was born in 1972, and Lleyton Hewitt, who was born in 1981, who else had a great return of serve outside Kefalnikov (born in 1974)?

I think Yevgeny would be the clear best returner born from 1973-1980.

perhaps one of Kiefer, Kucera, Schuettler, or Escude, depending on how you distinguish RoS and delineate great from merely elite

 

[Mustard]

You are definitely right on that one and it was not an uncommon view. Have a gander at that one:

»GNADENLOS SADISTISCH«

SPIEGEL: Herr Muster, warum spielen Sie nicht in Wimbledon? Muster: Ich habe in diesem Frühjahr sechs Sandplatzturniere gespielt, das war sehr, sehr viel Tennis. Mit Wimbledon wäre die Saison zu lang. SPIEGEL: Ihre Kollegen stellen die gesamte Planung…

www.spiegel.de

It’s in German but deepl might do the trick. Muster in 95 essentially says that Kafelnikov and Medvedev would be complete Allrounder and his two picks to maybe win all four slams.

Kafelnikov did all the fundamentals well, and in that era all the different surfaces required different gamestyles to properly excel. Medvedev showed certain promise in that direction for a time around 1993-1994, but then his consistency mostly dropped off. Kafelnikov could be overpowered by strong relentless weapons, like a big serve (Sampras, Ivanisevic, Krajicek) or relentless intense heavy groundstrokes (Muster) or intensity and speed (Hewitt).

Why did Kafelnikov own Santoro so badly, when Santoro usually had a knack of bothering a lot of top players? Because Kafelnikov does all the fundamentals well and is extremely hard to bedazzle. You've got to overpower Kafelnikov with a weapon. Interestingly, Courier's forehand usually wasn't enough, as Kafelnikov could exploit certain technical weaknesses. Courier's forehand was revolutionary in 1991-1993 time, but was mostly seen as little different to other good forehands by 1994-1997.

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

perhaps one of Kiefer, Kucera, Schuettler, or Escude, depending on how you distinguish RoS and delineate great from merely elite

Kiefer had a good RoS. Therefore, and because he looked a little alike with beard and bald hair, he was compared to Agassi here in Germany.

 

[tkramer15]

Kiefer had a good RoS. Therefore, and because he looked a little alike with beard and bald hair, he was compared to Agassi here in Germany.

Funny you mention this. I distinctly remember watching a 1998 Cincinnati first round match between Agassi and Kiefer in which some fans remarked how similar they looked from afar. Both wore nearly identical Nike outfits and had similar facial hair. The following year's Cincy media guide's recap of the '98 tournament mentions the lookalike situation.

 

[Mustard]

Kiefer had a good RoS. Therefore, and because he looked a little alike with beard and bald hair, he was compared to Agassi here in Germany.

What happened between Becker and Kiefer? Weren't they like mentor and protege for a while?

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Funny you mention this. I distinctly remember watching a 1998 Cincinnati first round match between Agassi and Kiefer in which some fans remarked how similar they looked from afar. Both wore nearly identical Nike outfits and had similar facial hair. The following year's Cincy media guide's recap of the '98 tournament mentions the lookalike situation.

Well German media after Becker got old were eager to push the next big player so Kiefer (and Haas) were the first prospects. Comparing Kiefer with Agassi was to some extent an attempt to market him. He was of course light-years away from Agassi, as soon as media noticed that neither Kiefer nor Haas would fit into Becker's footsteps they were denigrated like always it is done in Germany with their sport stars.

 

[NedStark]

Well German media after Becker got old were eager to push the next big player so Kiefer (and Haas) were the first prospects. Comparing Kiefer with Agassi was to some extent an attempt to market him. He was of course light-years away from Agassi, as soon as media noticed that neither Kiefer nor Haas would fit into Becker's footsteps they were denigrated like always it is done in Germany with their sport stars.

Kiefer lost to Becker in straight at ****ing Wimbledon 1999 lmao.