I hear you Hache, it would be similar to how Jimmy Connors nearly pulled off that miracalous US Open back in 1991, before finally losing Jim Courier in the semis, still one of the most phenomenal weeks of Tennis EVER....Connors was approaching 40! Damn I miss those events! Tennis just isn't the same.
Not trying to go too far off topic but remembering that 1991 US OPEN, anone else remember Connors improbable run, it was one for the ages,,,,
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Jimbo turned back the clock at the '91 Open
By Fred W. Kiger
Special to ESPN.com
Signature Match
September 2, 1991 - In his prime, Jimmy Connors bullied and attacked his way to monstrous success, but now in 1991, the lion was long in the tooth. In fact, Connors was celebrating his 39th birthday when he confronted 24-year-old Aaron Krickstein in the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
Jimbo was the fan favorite, having already come back from a two sets to none deficit in the first round against Patrick McEnroe and then winning his next two matches. After losing the first set to Krickstein 6-3, Connors, playing with a surgically rebuilt wrist, took the second with a dramatic 10-8 win in the tiebreaker. He was routed 6-1 in the third set and then tied the match by winning the fourth 6-3. However, Connors looked like he ran out of steam in the fifth set, falling behind 5-2.
As a packed house on the Stadium Court roared in approval, Connors battled back again. Playing with his customary fire, Connors constantly attacked and it paid off, as he forced a tiebreaker. With his adrenaline -- and fists -- pumping, Connors won it 7-4. The match took four hours and 41 minutes.
Despite 106 unforced errors and a left knee that stiffened (he had twisted it during the second-set tiebreaker), Connors advanced to his 16th U.S. Open quarterfinal in 21 visits, proving the lion could still roar.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Jimbo turned back the clock at the '91 Open
By Fred W. Kiger
Special to ESPN.com
Signature Match
September 2, 1991 - In his prime, Jimmy Connors bullied and attacked his way to monstrous success, but now in 1991, the lion was long in the tooth. In fact, Connors was celebrating his 39th birthday when he confronted 24-year-old Aaron Krickstein in the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
Jimbo was the fan favorite, having already come back from a two sets to none deficit in the first round against Patrick McEnroe and then winning his next two matches. After losing the first set to Krickstein 6-3, Connors, playing with a surgically rebuilt wrist, took the second with a dramatic 10-8 win in the tiebreaker. He was routed 6-1 in the third set and then tied the match by winning the fourth 6-3. However, Connors looked like he ran out of steam in the fifth set, falling behind 5-2.
As a packed house on the Stadium Court roared in approval, Connors battled back again. Playing with his customary fire, Connors constantly attacked and it paid off, as he forced a tiebreaker. With his adrenaline -- and fists -- pumping, Connors won it 7-4. The match took four hours and 41 minutes.
Despite 106 unforced errors and a left knee that stiffened (he had twisted it during the second-set tiebreaker), Connors advanced to his 16th U.S. Open quarterfinal in 21 visits, proving the lion could still roar.
yup, he's today's pete sampras.. probably the best all around game with the combination of finess and power.
he was upset by Safin in the australian open, who ultimately ended up taking the whole shabang.. beating out Leyton Hewitt (I had Hewitt on that final match.. i dunno what i was thinking).
he was upset by Safin in the australian open, who ultimately ended up taking the whole shabang.. beating out Leyton Hewitt (I had Hewitt on that final match.. i dunno what i was thinking).
