Pete Sampras beat Tim Henman 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-6(4) in the Queen's Club final, 1999 on grass
It was Sampras' second title at the venue, his first of the year and he would go onto win a then Open Era record 6th Wimbledon soon after
Sampras won 125 points, Henman 124
Sampras serve-volleyed off all his serves, Henman off most first serves and occasionally second
Serve Stats
Sampras...
- 1st serve percentage (68/118) 58%
- 1st serve points won (58/68) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (26/50) 52%
- Aces 13, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 9
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (48/118) 41%
Henman...
- 1st serve percentage (81/131) 61%
- 1st serve points won (64/81) 79%
- 2nd serve points won (26/52) 52%
- Aces 7, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 7
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (45/131) 34%
Serve Pattern
Sampras served...
- to FH 39%
- to BH 52%
- to Body 8%
Henman served...
- to FH 23%
- to BH 68%
- to Body 9%
Return Stats
Sampras made...
- 79 (16 FH, 63 BH), including 3 return-approaches
- 4 Winners (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 36 Errors, comprising...
- 5 Unforced (5 BH), including 1 return-approach attempt
- 31 Forced (5 FH, 26 BH)
- Return Rate (79/124) 64%
Henman made...
- 61 (20 FH, 41 BH)
- 5 Winners (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 33 Errors, all forced...
- 33 Forced (14 FH, 19 BH)
- Return Rate (61/109) 56%
Break Points
Sampras 1/6 (3 games)
Henman 0/7 (4 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Sampras 33 (7 FH, 8 BH, 8 FHV, 8 BHV, 2 BH1/2V)
Henman 27 (8 FH, 7 BH, 6 FHV, 5 BHV, 1 OH)
Sampras had 20 from serve-volley points
- 13 first 'volleys' (5 FHV, 5 BHV, 2 BH1/2V, 1 FH at net)
- 6 second 'volleys' (2 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 BH at net)
- 1 third volley (1 FHV)
11 passes (4 FH, 7 BH)
- FHs - 2 cc (1 return), 1 inside-out, and 1 lob
- BHs - 2 cc (1 return), 1 dtl, 1 dtl/inside-out, 2 inside-out returns and 1 lob
- 2 non-pass FHs (1 dtl, 1 longline/inside-out)
Henman had 12 from serve-volley points
- 9 first 'volleys' (5 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 FH at net)
- 3 second volleys ((1 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
12 passes (5 FH, 7 BH)
- FHs - 1 cc return, 2 dtl (1 return), 1 inside-out and 1 lob
- BHs - 3 cc (1 return), 3 dtl (1 return) and 1 inside-in return
- 2 non-pass FHs (1 inside-out, 1 longline)
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Sampras 43
- 16 Unforced (6 FH, 4 BH, 1 FHV, 5 BHV)
- 27 Forced (3 FH, 16 BH, 1 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 4 BHV, 2 BH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 51.9
Henman 37
- 12 Unforced (4 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV)
- 25 Forced (8 FH, 14 BH, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.3
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Sampras was...
- 73/100 (73%) at net, including...
- 69/94 (73%) serve-volleying, comprising..
- 43/53 (81%) off 1st serve and...
- 26/41 (63%) off 2nd serve
---
- 2/3 return-approaching
- 2/3 forced back
Henman was...
- 64/87 (74%) at net, including...
- 61/79 (77%) serve-volleying, comprising..
- 50/64 (78%) off 1st serve and...
- 11/15 (73%) off 2nd serve
---
- 1/2 forced back
Match Report
A terrific grass court match. In addition to the usual serve-volley, Henman regularly staying back allows for some lively baseline play too
I remember Henman being a 100% serve-volleyer on grass... he isn't here. He stays back on a few second serves to start and even the odd first serve, which the commentators note is unusual for him. Nor does he look to be looking for chances to come in off rallies.... he's playing normal baseline tennis and might come in if the opportunity presents itself
First set goes comfortably on serve til towards the end. Henman holds in a 16 point game (saving 2 break points), Sampras follows in an 8 pointer (2 break points) and then Henman again in an 18 point game (just 1 break point) leading up to the tiebreak. Which is all Henman, who wins 7 points in a row after losing the first
Second set is dominated by Sampras. He's lost just 4 points on serve - and having grabbed an early break - steps up to serve out the match. Henman is able to push him in the game and has a break point, but Sampras comes through.
Third set is close with Henman having the edge. He threatens the Sampras serve more than the other way round, but Pete comes through with typical clutch play and takes it in the tiebreak
Playing Dynamics & Stats
Henman's play is quite different from what I remember. I recall him having a decent but not great serve. In this match, he serves excellently - first and second. His first serve isn't far off Sampras' own. Returns well and powerfully too - takes good size cuts at Sampras' second serve, forcing him to play difficult first volleys
And his groundgame is strong. Staying back on most second serves (he comes in 11/43 times), either he fancied his chances of besting Sampras from the baseline, or feared coming in behind his second serve. Doesn't seem much justification for the latter - Henman wins 73% of second serve-volley points (Sampras was 63%) and also leaves himself open to Sampras taking the net (risky), but he does get the better of the baseline exchanges, though not by much
Unlike the semi against Hewitt, Sampras returns well too - consistency being the main ingredient, with the odd powerful return thrown in
In the forecourt, Henman is the better volleyer. He looks the proverbial fish in water, as natural as can be up front. Statistically, this is hinted at in the forced errors column (Sampras makes 8 volleying/half-volleying, Henman 3). I'd say both passed and returned at about the same level (and Sampras naturally with a comparative advantage on the serve shot alone)…. but Henman could get the difficult volley over more often. On the half-volley in particular, he's impressive... you wouldn't even know he was playing a half-volley to watch him at it. Defending the net and anticipating, he's probably also got the edge (though Sampras is also very good)
Sampras is also good up front, but does miss the odd easy volley. Both players have been given 6 UEs on the volley to Henman's 5, which is about even given Sampras came in 100 times to Tim's 87.... but the volleys missed by Sampras are easier. At least one is an outright putaway, and couple of others not much more than that. Henman doesn't miss any balls that easy
Lots of great touch on the volley from both player, Henman noticeably more
Not much point talking about who played better. 125 points to 124 in favour of Sampras, Sampras converting 1/6 break points in 3 games to Henman's 0/7 in 4, identical second serve winning numbers (26/50 @ 52%), Sampras leading 85% first serve points won to Henman's 79% counterbalanced largely by Henman serving at 61% to Sampras' 58%.... all this is telling you there was nothing in it between the players. Virtually on every level
Summing up, dead even match of high quality from both players. Sampras naturally with the better serve, though Henman outdoes himself on this front and the distance isn't great. Henman probably with a slight edge in returning.... overall, the serve-return complex in Sampras' favour. Henman better off the ground and on the volley. about equal on the pass and Henman with the better movement
Dead even, a point here and there then to determine the outcome. Both are very clutch too... result just happens to fall Sampras' way. Great match
Sampras' quarter https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...isevic-queens-club-quarter-final-1999.650232/
Sampras' semi https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...vs-hewitt-queens-club-semi-final-1999.650384/
It was Sampras' second title at the venue, his first of the year and he would go onto win a then Open Era record 6th Wimbledon soon after
Sampras won 125 points, Henman 124
Sampras serve-volleyed off all his serves, Henman off most first serves and occasionally second
Serve Stats
Sampras...
- 1st serve percentage (68/118) 58%
- 1st serve points won (58/68) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (26/50) 52%
- Aces 13, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 9
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (48/118) 41%
Henman...
- 1st serve percentage (81/131) 61%
- 1st serve points won (64/81) 79%
- 2nd serve points won (26/52) 52%
- Aces 7, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 7
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (45/131) 34%
Serve Pattern
Sampras served...
- to FH 39%
- to BH 52%
- to Body 8%
Henman served...
- to FH 23%
- to BH 68%
- to Body 9%
Return Stats
Sampras made...
- 79 (16 FH, 63 BH), including 3 return-approaches
- 4 Winners (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 36 Errors, comprising...
- 5 Unforced (5 BH), including 1 return-approach attempt
- 31 Forced (5 FH, 26 BH)
- Return Rate (79/124) 64%
Henman made...
- 61 (20 FH, 41 BH)
- 5 Winners (2 FH, 3 BH)
- 33 Errors, all forced...
- 33 Forced (14 FH, 19 BH)
- Return Rate (61/109) 56%
Break Points
Sampras 1/6 (3 games)
Henman 0/7 (4 game)
Winners (including returns, excluding serves)
Sampras 33 (7 FH, 8 BH, 8 FHV, 8 BHV, 2 BH1/2V)
Henman 27 (8 FH, 7 BH, 6 FHV, 5 BHV, 1 OH)
Sampras had 20 from serve-volley points
- 13 first 'volleys' (5 FHV, 5 BHV, 2 BH1/2V, 1 FH at net)
- 6 second 'volleys' (2 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 BH at net)
- 1 third volley (1 FHV)
11 passes (4 FH, 7 BH)
- FHs - 2 cc (1 return), 1 inside-out, and 1 lob
- BHs - 2 cc (1 return), 1 dtl, 1 dtl/inside-out, 2 inside-out returns and 1 lob
- 2 non-pass FHs (1 dtl, 1 longline/inside-out)
Henman had 12 from serve-volley points
- 9 first 'volleys' (5 FHV, 3 BHV, 1 FH at net)
- 3 second volleys ((1 FHV, 1 BHV, 1 OH)
12 passes (5 FH, 7 BH)
- FHs - 1 cc return, 2 dtl (1 return), 1 inside-out and 1 lob
- BHs - 3 cc (1 return), 3 dtl (1 return) and 1 inside-in return
- 2 non-pass FHs (1 inside-out, 1 longline)
Errors (excluding returns and serves)
Sampras 43
- 16 Unforced (6 FH, 4 BH, 1 FHV, 5 BHV)
- 27 Forced (3 FH, 16 BH, 1 FHV, 1 FH1/2V, 4 BHV, 2 BH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 51.9
Henman 37
- 12 Unforced (4 FH, 3 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV)
- 25 Forced (8 FH, 14 BH, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 48.3
(Note 1: All 1/2 volleys refer to such shots played at net. 1/2 volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke numbers)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Sampras was...
- 73/100 (73%) at net, including...
- 69/94 (73%) serve-volleying, comprising..
- 43/53 (81%) off 1st serve and...
- 26/41 (63%) off 2nd serve
---
- 2/3 return-approaching
- 2/3 forced back
Henman was...
- 64/87 (74%) at net, including...
- 61/79 (77%) serve-volleying, comprising..
- 50/64 (78%) off 1st serve and...
- 11/15 (73%) off 2nd serve
---
- 1/2 forced back
Match Report
A terrific grass court match. In addition to the usual serve-volley, Henman regularly staying back allows for some lively baseline play too
I remember Henman being a 100% serve-volleyer on grass... he isn't here. He stays back on a few second serves to start and even the odd first serve, which the commentators note is unusual for him. Nor does he look to be looking for chances to come in off rallies.... he's playing normal baseline tennis and might come in if the opportunity presents itself
First set goes comfortably on serve til towards the end. Henman holds in a 16 point game (saving 2 break points), Sampras follows in an 8 pointer (2 break points) and then Henman again in an 18 point game (just 1 break point) leading up to the tiebreak. Which is all Henman, who wins 7 points in a row after losing the first
Second set is dominated by Sampras. He's lost just 4 points on serve - and having grabbed an early break - steps up to serve out the match. Henman is able to push him in the game and has a break point, but Sampras comes through.
Third set is close with Henman having the edge. He threatens the Sampras serve more than the other way round, but Pete comes through with typical clutch play and takes it in the tiebreak
Playing Dynamics & Stats
Henman's play is quite different from what I remember. I recall him having a decent but not great serve. In this match, he serves excellently - first and second. His first serve isn't far off Sampras' own. Returns well and powerfully too - takes good size cuts at Sampras' second serve, forcing him to play difficult first volleys
And his groundgame is strong. Staying back on most second serves (he comes in 11/43 times), either he fancied his chances of besting Sampras from the baseline, or feared coming in behind his second serve. Doesn't seem much justification for the latter - Henman wins 73% of second serve-volley points (Sampras was 63%) and also leaves himself open to Sampras taking the net (risky), but he does get the better of the baseline exchanges, though not by much
Unlike the semi against Hewitt, Sampras returns well too - consistency being the main ingredient, with the odd powerful return thrown in
In the forecourt, Henman is the better volleyer. He looks the proverbial fish in water, as natural as can be up front. Statistically, this is hinted at in the forced errors column (Sampras makes 8 volleying/half-volleying, Henman 3). I'd say both passed and returned at about the same level (and Sampras naturally with a comparative advantage on the serve shot alone)…. but Henman could get the difficult volley over more often. On the half-volley in particular, he's impressive... you wouldn't even know he was playing a half-volley to watch him at it. Defending the net and anticipating, he's probably also got the edge (though Sampras is also very good)
Sampras is also good up front, but does miss the odd easy volley. Both players have been given 6 UEs on the volley to Henman's 5, which is about even given Sampras came in 100 times to Tim's 87.... but the volleys missed by Sampras are easier. At least one is an outright putaway, and couple of others not much more than that. Henman doesn't miss any balls that easy
Lots of great touch on the volley from both player, Henman noticeably more
Not much point talking about who played better. 125 points to 124 in favour of Sampras, Sampras converting 1/6 break points in 3 games to Henman's 0/7 in 4, identical second serve winning numbers (26/50 @ 52%), Sampras leading 85% first serve points won to Henman's 79% counterbalanced largely by Henman serving at 61% to Sampras' 58%.... all this is telling you there was nothing in it between the players. Virtually on every level
Summing up, dead even match of high quality from both players. Sampras naturally with the better serve, though Henman outdoes himself on this front and the distance isn't great. Henman probably with a slight edge in returning.... overall, the serve-return complex in Sampras' favour. Henman better off the ground and on the volley. about equal on the pass and Henman with the better movement
Dead even, a point here and there then to determine the outcome. Both are very clutch too... result just happens to fall Sampras' way. Great match
Sampras' quarter https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...isevic-queens-club-quarter-final-1999.650232/
Sampras' semi https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...vs-hewitt-queens-club-semi-final-1999.650384/
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