From: ratte@sfb256.iam.uni-bonn.de (  Cordula Reineke  )
Subject: Frankfurt: Sampras - Korda (spoiler)
Organization: Applied Math, University of Bonn, Germany
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 13:56:21 GMT

Sorry to give you a detailed report of a boooooring game, but you may skip
it of course.

First set:
^^^^^^^^^^
3 straight games up to 1:2 (PK served first).
Then PS has severe problems winning his second game. I can't see why so well
(hanging on the phone...), but the number of deuces and advantages is
enormous. PK plays simply great! Here it still promises to become an inter-
esting match - only PS seems to be a bit unconcentrated.
(2:2) Another easy game for PK.
(2:3) And another easy game for PK, PS is broken without having made a
single point. (*argh*) He has the habit of doing his job on a Thursday
night thinking "oh well, this is just another match in just another tournament".
(2:4) And once again PS builds up PK's advantage by moving his raquet a bit
but nothing else.
(2:5) None of both seems to be in a hurry to end this set. PK's backhand
touches the roof, PS double-faults. Then PS wins the game with a topspin-lob
falling down right on the line - but nothing exciting at all, it could have
gone out as well... Oh, dear!
(3:5) The first (!) desperate "Sampras"-shouts from the spectators, but he
still plays like warming up before the match. PK has two setpoints and
double-faults them both.
Sorry, is this the channel where the World Championship is broadcasted?
The 3rd setpoint ends up with a return into the net.

The reporter says politely that PS didn"t show 100% of interest in the
match yet :-)

Second set:
^^^^^^^^^^^
Hi-ho, Petie wins his first game clearly and easily.
(1:0) Both are awake now, finally. PS waits for PK's 2nd service within
the field. But with a backhand-slice that goes out for meters he gives away
every chance to change things a bit.
(1:1) PS still hits a service-winner and an ace, but you should see the way
in which he walks back to the service-line after one of PK's hard and exact
forehand cross-court shots - desperate!
They pass deuce several times, and then PK has a breakpoint. PS's strokes
become more accurate and he rejects the point. Unfortunately a string is torn
when he hits an over-head shot, and he has to change raquets during his own
service.
We go on and on, deuce, adv. PS, a double-fault, PS acts only half-hearted
at the net and is easily passed serveral times.
Is this the channel...?
Deuce for the 9th time - is it a certain treaty with the sponsors perhaps?
PS starts cursing loud and long, then double-faults.
Fortunately the quality of PK's returns decreases far enough to let PS 
finally win his service after having passed deuce 11 times.

The only interesting super-slowmotions they show afterwards are those of
both players throwing down their raquets to the floor several times.

(2:1) I can't quite remember when I saw PK's last valid 1st service, but
they aren't dangerous any more. 30:40 and then a break for PS - and nobody,
nobody gives a whee bit of applause. See how the atmosphere is?
(3:1) PS wins his game easily.
(4:1) 15:0 and I can hear a single person clapping hands three times, wow.
30:0, nobody reacts. Hey, this is the World championship, folks! PK wins
straight.
(4:2) The match accelerates a bit. Visible reactions of PS, PK running and
a murmur from the spectators. Suddenly deuce again. Quality still increases,
and we see a first-class cross-court backhand by PS, later on the first
unsuccessful lob by PK. No rebreak.
(5:2) PK gives a number of astonishing examples of his soccer-talent in
kicking tennisballs around. After 40:0 he hits two df.s, but wins the game.
(5:3) PS serves for the set, hopefully. After his 8th df he kicks the ball too.
Shortly afterwards PK gives away a breakpoint, then a setpoint. PS plays
with a very low rate of 1st services now. Another breakpoint, deuce, another
setpoint - at least they both look like top-eight players meanwhile - and
gee, that's it. 6:3.

Really nice slowmotions now. I just love Pete's wonderful basic-strokes!

Third set:
^^^^^^^^^^
PK double-faults up to 0:40, then another unvalid service, then net.
He rejects 3 breakpoints (one service-winner). A long, impressive ground-
line-duell with the better end for PK and another one make hm win the game.
(0:1) 0:30 after two stupid faults at the net by PS, then he slips and
falls while rushing forward. Rejects the first breakpoint with a net-roller
and serves very well afterwards. A good slice-return gives PK another
breakpoint, and then the break.
(0:2) 0:30 against PK's service forces him to concentrate, a breakpoint
for PS, and then PK double-faults fot the rebreak. I hear no applause at
all. (Is this the channel...?)
(1:2) PS prepares a new raquet but still plays with the old one. He serves
well and makes good net-attacks. Wins his game easily.
(2:2) They don't play so bad right now, it's a nice match, perhaps too many
faults due to lack of concentration - but the atmosphere in the hall is like 
is like in a fridge. Poor Pete, poor Petr !
Almost not on purpose PS breaks, by the way.
(3:2) I catch myself staring into the blue floor every now and then, and
even the reporter talks rubbish. PS plays a good service-game, "sweet, soft
and lazy - sweet, soft and cool...", who sang that?
(4:2) PK hits two aces and wins his service straight.
(4:3) The reporter pays approval to PS, for his strong service and his
dominating game, maybe he is right. Even for me it's difficult to find a few
friendly words about my hero.
PK complains about the flashlights of some spectators, but that's not the
point. He loses concentration and hope.
(5:3) PS strengthens his last reserves, attacks up to 0:40. Hence 3 match-
points. PK still fights with his sharp basic-shots, serves an ace, but
loses a long riscy duell by an unforced error, symptomatically.
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