Prime Becker vs Prime Sampras at Wimbledon
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JoshDragon
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1970CRBase
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Pete played Becker 3 times at Wimbledon, beat him 3 times. Never lost serve even once. I doubt any version of Becker could ever produce a much different result against Pete
I was always far more interested in the outcome of a Wimbledon matchup between Stefan and Pete in the early 90's, up to around 93 or so, or even a French matchup, but we never got to see that. For some reason, those two only played on hard and carpet, never on grass or clay.
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Becker went downhill fast after 1992-93. I do remember the 1995 final that Pete won in four sets (it was pretty close) but I doubt that Becker's best. Either way, in my mind, it's a toss-up.
borg number one
Legend
Becker at his best could give Sampras all he could handle. I think the matches would be very close. See Becker vs. Edberg at Wimbledon in 1989.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcV0NzBlyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcV0NzBlyY
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1970CRBase
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I remember watching that match and being pretty upset with the score (6-0 set). That same year, Stefan crushed Cash in round 4 (of the Australian Open) was in Great form, but near the end of the match, he tore a stomach muscle and then was forced to default in the quarters against Muster, a guy he owned throughout his career. Then sometime later, Stefan hurt his back too. (plagued him for years) All due to his extreme motion on his kick serve which after that was said to be never as powerful as it was in 1988. Yes, this is steering into the coulda/shoulda,,, territory, and Stefan not being the type to never once complained but still I wonder about those French and Wimbledon finals.
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borg number one
Legend
You are right, Edberg did have those physical issues that really hurt his chances at times. I agree. He and Becker had many great battles.
boredone3456
G.O.A.T.
Sampras in 4. Becker could definitely give Pete Trouble, he had a solid return that Pete's serve wouldn't just bowl through, and I don't think Becker would back down from Pete's 2nd serve either. They are pretty even at the net, I thinker Prime Becker though comes up a little short on his Groundstrokes, like someone else said, and maybe a little short in movement. Assuming Pete is playing his absolute best the entire match, I have a really hard time thinking Becker could actually win, Especially given the record as it is now. It would be enjoyable to watch, but unless Prime Pete was having an off day, I don't think Becker could take him down.
That was an amazing performance by Becker. I still have a recording of that match on VHS. I think when Becker lost to Edberg in the 1990 Wimbledon final, after being up a break in the 5th set, things started to go bad for him.
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