Pete Sampras: An In-Depth Look at His Game, Part Two

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 6, 2010

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There can never be enough analysis of one of tennis' most successful players, so following last week's look at Pete Sampras’ technical game and core elements, I am now going to discuss how he did against his biggest rivals in the 1990s and early 2000s.

(In case you missed it, here is the link to Part One: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/368989-pete-sampras-an-in-depth-look-at-his-game-part-1)

 

Sampras vs. Courier

This is one of many of Sampras' rivalries that started in the junior ranks.  During his reign as ranked No. 1 seed in 1992, Jim Courier was often compared to Ivan Lendl, including by Brad Gilbert in his book, Winning Ugly . 

Jim used Lendl’s tactic of trying to dominate each match with his forehand, which resulted in his success on clay. As far as I can see, there was one thing that Jim didn’t have, and that was the natural athletic ability of Lendl, so once his level started slipping at the young age of 23, he found it hard to get it back. 

You could argue Sampras played a major part in that, because he frustrated Courier a lot in Grand Slam tournaments, he was often in Courier’s way and that would frustrate anyone.  Jim did beat Pete in the 1991 US Open quarterfinal and 1994 French quarterfinal but lost the 1995 Australian Open quarterfinal and 1996 French Open quarterfinal despite being two sets up in each match. 

Sampras said in his book, A Champion's Mind , that he targeted Courier’s forehand when serving because Courier’s extreme grip meant that returning fast sliding serves wasn’t his strength.  So undoubtedly that frustrated Courier as well, as his best weapon was neutralized.  The rivalry ended 16–4 to Sampras.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9h0OXW479M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egaLmFSvsVY

 

Sampras vs. Rafter
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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