Pete Sampras beats Jim Courier in Champions series opener

[Magic of tennis]

Chang always volleyed well and frequently used that as B plan to mix things up, he also finished points at the net when the opportunity presented itself instead of retreating on the baseline or being caught in a no man's land while doing it, it kinda suprises me more people don't remember that (or maybe I remember it wrong), I think he would have been considered a genuine all-courter today.

Overall not that I think that high of his game(if the top dogs were on their game I always felt he'd lose)but as far as oncourt brain/tactics and mental strength go he's one of the best I've ever seen.

agreed. Chang never gives up, strong mental strength.

 

[ttwarrior1]

conners only lost 6 4??

need some vids and have this on network tv

 

[KHSOLO]

Sampras stilll owning Courier and Chang. Nothing new here to see. :twisted:

LOL, nice

 

[thor's hammer]

Great Article From Recent Champions LA Event

Sampras, Agassi, Courier, McEnroe @ HSBC Cup Los Angeles

I had a one on one with Pete Sampras with a simple plastic court guard between us. I could’ve wrapped my arm around the guy for crying out loud. As soon as I started talking to Pete, 3 cameras rushed around me and focused on our conversation. Okay okay, here’s what we talked about: I asked about the Champions Tour and how it was treating him and the players’ bodies.

 

[NonP]

Very interesting NonP. If a radar gun was present, did you notice what kind of speed Chang was getting?

Yes, Courier and Chang volley very well. Chang had surprising touch and reflexes at the net, Courier was solid. Agassi had POTENTIAL, but under pressure, he occasionally just BRICK a volley 20 feet long, with Roddick-hands.

Data, 1st of all sorry about the late reply. Unfortunately there was no radar gun present, but according to my own optical (and admittedly fallible) radar I'd say Chang clocked in at 120-125 mph tops. Certainly no more than Fed's regular serves. It was more placement than power, as one might have expected.

And speaking of which, when Agassi was warming up with Courier before the match he kept bricking the volleys 20-30 feet long, obviously with his tongue fully in the cheek. I'm sure that's a shtick he has pulled many times in exos.

Correct! Agassi has always been an extremely talented player in every respect, including having great touch. His only real weakness was hitting on the stretch, and the diminution of his kick serve in the later half of his career, which he explained was the result of a congential lumbar spine defect. But for that, he may have been greater than Sampras.

But you gotta admit, Agassi didn't approach the net a whole lot to take full advantage of that supposedly great touch of his.

I also agree about Chang and Courier's net play. The best net player I've seen over the past 6-7 years is probably Nalbandian. After that maybe Ralph. So, the bar isn't that high.

Hmm... not so sure about this. Both are two-handers, so there's that additional hassle of a grip change for the volley. And I think Fish for one is more comfortable at the net.

But you did say "net player," which isn't exactly the same thing as "volleyer."

 

[Datacipher]

Data, 1st of all sorry about the late reply. Unfortunately there was no radar gun present, but according to my own optical (and admittedly fallible) radar I'd say Chang clocked in at 120-125 mph tops. Certainly no more than Fed's regular serves. It was more placement than power, as one might have expected.

I would give quite a bit of credence to your optical radar, given all the good posts I've read from you before. Yes, that speed range, is about where I would expect Chang to top out now...I notice that in the seniors, he's hit some big flat serves, lots of power, but doesn't throw his small body into it quite the same way when he was really trying to unload in the halcyon days. (maybe that's good....maybe his percentages are better!) At the same time, if he uses a big babo, it probably gives an extra "free" 5mph over his Chang POG.

And speaking of which, when Agassi was warming up with Courier before the match he kept bricking the volleys 20-30 feet long, obviously with his tongue fully in the cheek. I'm sure that's a shtick he has pulled many times in exos."

Funny! Agassi was the worst I remember for the groaner volley....I saw him volley very well in practice a couple of times....then at say...the USO, he's suddenly rush the net, but actually at a good time, getting a really weak, high return, still he'd look rushed, run through it, and volley it into a linesman at the back. The crowd groans....LOL

Hmm... not so sure about this. Both are two-handers, so there's that additional hassle of a grip change for the volley. And I think Fish for one is more comfortable at the net.
"

Talking about top players perhaps? We almost always are to some degree...otherwise names like Leander Paes, and Richey Reneberg would be brought up a lot ;-)