From: clin@eng.umd.edu (Charles Lin)
Subject: US Open -- Wednesday night results (spoilers)
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 05:11:10 GMT
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
Originator: clin@harmonic.eng.umd.edu



   There was only one match at night since we are getting close to the
end of the tournament.  A close doubles match with Stich/McEnroe
and Casals/E. Sanchez went five sets with Stich/McEnroe down two
sets to love.  They play an early match tomorrow.

   Wed. night, they had Agassi v. Courier.  Prior to the match,
John McEnroe commented that he felt Courier had both a mental
and a physical edge over Agassi, and he was likely to win.  This,
despite Agassi rolling over all previous opponents with ease.
Well, McEnroe knows what he is talking about.

   This match played on two factors.  The number of unforced errors
Agassi made, and the serving of Jim Courier.  Courier served some
21 aces in this duel.  However, he had a very tough time breaking
Agassi.  Given 26 or so chances to break, he did so about 5 times.
Almost every game Agassi played,  Courier had a chance to break.

   He broke once in the first set, which was enough to win that.
Then, I think he broke in the second, and got broken back, and
went to a tiebreaker.  In the tiebreak,  Courier had a 6-3 lead,
and a makeable volley to win the set, but Ended up losing that
point, and four more to lose the set.  Agassi had to be very happy
to win that, but he lost the intensity and let Courier win an
easy opening game, then break him twice to get to 4-0.  Agassi
was able to win only one more game and Courier won that set 6-1.

   Agassi played a tighter set, and at 3-4, I think Courier went
down 0-40, but played a good net point and hit two good serves
to tie it at deuce then went on to win the game.  Then, he broke
to lead 5-4, and held to win 6-4.  

   One comment McEnroe made was that when Agassi fell behind in the
third set, that Agassi may have thought to tank the set since Courier
was already up two breaks, and to fight back may be too much effort,
especially if he lost the set.  So, Agassi pinned his hopes on starting
the fourth even, and hoped that anything would go in the fifth.
Obviously, the strategy didn't work.  At times, Agassi looked brilliant
hitting shots, but he also made a lot of errors going for his shots
as well.  Against other players, this wasn't too much of a problem.
He could still win enough points to dominate.  Courier, though, hits
about as hard as Agassi, and plays smart enough to have a few rallies.
At times, Courier, went to a chip crosscourt, which didn't really
work, as Agassi usually hit hard shots down the line.

   Both players were assessed a warning.  Agassi for throwing a racquet
which hit the umpire's chair but which he claimed was aimed at his
bag, and he missed.   Courier's warning was for delay of game.  Other
than that, the two more or less behaved, though Agassi was complaining
early on.

   Courier now faces the hot-hitting Sampras in the semifinals who
rolled over Volkov, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0.  Sampras has already had a
win over Courier this summer in Indianapolis.  However, Courier
is playing better, and has had to face two tough matches with
McEnroe and Agassi.

   Tomorwow afternoon, Chang and Ferreira will meet.   Chang mentioned
yesterday (Tues) that Ferreira is the only person with titles on
all four surfaces, and, of course, he said that Ferreira will be tough.
Ferreira will probably play more aggressively than Washington.  It
will essentially be a baseline battle, with Chang trying to play
aggressively, and Ferreira looking for ways to use his forehand.
This match could also be a tight one.  This will be the second
Ferreira that Chang will have met.  He beat Ellis Ferreira in the
first round.

   Tomorrow evening, Lendl will face Edberg who won a squeaker over
Krajicek.   Edberg has played Lendl pretty tough the last few years
so one has to favor him, based on record.  The only advantage Lendl
might have is that it is played under the lights, and Edberg doesn't
like to play at night.  If Lendl is to win, he will need to up his play.
He played Becker pretty well, but Becker also made a lot of errors,
especially having a low first serve percentage in the last set.
Lendl has been making more errors as od late, though he hasn't
really paid the price for it, since he still hits more good shots
than not, and his opponents have missed, too.  I suspect he may
use the same chip strategy as he did against Becker, and force
Edberg to volley as much as possible.  Edberg has the better volley
however, and his sliced approach can be deadly.  Edberg needs to
serve pretty well, though, and he had his problems against Krajicek
with numerous double faults.

   Also, as reported already Sanchez-Vicario beat Steffi, and will
face Maleeva, and Fernandez will play Seles.  I think that's right.

--
Charles Lin
clin@eng.umd.edu

Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis