(matches in which his greatness was shown to all eyes)
1. US.Open 96, QF vs. Corretja 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 5-7 6-4 7-6 (9-7)
The most dramatic match in tennis history. Pete's heroism was beyond belief - sick to his stomach, on verge of fainting during the decisive tie-break, he managed to produce his greatest miracle and win (a win that "saved" his year). This match is the prime evidence in the question 'Why Sampras is greater than Laver (or anybody else) ?' , those who saw it, left with no words.
read press-conference two days after read Annacone, Edberg & Graf's thoughts
(Bill Macatee, USA commentator, after the match)
"This may have been the match that defines the open in the nineties. Unbelievable."
(Bill Macatee, USA commentator, after the match)
"How does he do it, how doooes he do it ?!?!?!"
(Brian Langley, STAR SPORT commentator, wondering loudly during the 5th set tie-break)
"There will never be another match like that, ever !"
(Andrea Jaeger , STAR SPORT commentator, after the match)
"I don't have that much guts."
(John McEnroe to Pete's girlfriend at that time, Delaina Mulcahy, after the match)
Maybe the greatest match in tennis history. "Do it for your coach, Pete" a fan yelled after the first point of the 5th set, and right after him, another fan yelled "[?] remember him". Pete says he didn't hear those fans but something inside of him must have been. He broke into tears, served brilliantly while crying and won eventually the match, which will forever be remembered. It was a magical night.
(Frew McMillan, EUROSPORT commentator, 01/25/00)
3. US.Open 02, Final vs. Agassi 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4
The most Hollywoody match ever. Agassi, so called, was the favorite, Pete, craving for a win after 2 drought years (win that will complete his greatest achievement as a tennis player) was spent at the beginning of the 4th set and looked as if he's going to run out of steam. What reason there is, for Agassi not to win the match ? Well, this is why Pete is the greatest tennis player of all time, because during his career he produced, time and time again, an inexplicable ability to overcome health & fitness obstacles. And here, he did it again, to win his 14 grand-slam title, and to silence every "expert" who suggested he had no chance of winning another major title.
"This is why this guy won 13 grand-slams. Where is this come from ?"
"This is fun to watch, I tell you, it's unbelievable. Where does he come up with these shots ?"
"This guy, Sampras, I mean, where has he [?]. Unreal".
"In the 3rd set and in the 4th, it was already seen as the Sampras of the last years. Tired & Old. Only that Pete Sampras already won in the past a lot of matches from a half-collapsed condition, and in the frame of same unexpected and touching drive back in time on the time tunnel, he did it again..." (Zipi Shmilovich, MAARIV correspondent)
4. US.Open 94, 4th Round vs. Yzaga 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 5-7 (a loss)
What an heroic effort by Pete. Not only he was sick in the last three sets, he also had several injuries, but despite all this, Pete fought for his life and managed to do an unbelievable 5th set comeback before losing in the end. post-match pc
5. Wimbledon 00, 2nd Round vs. Kucera 7-6 (11-9) 3-6 6-3 6-4
Such clutch serving, it was simply unbelievable. And it was on one leg !!!
In his quest for number 13, the great man was not going to be denied.
6. Roland Garros 96, QF vs. Courier 6-7 (4-7) 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4
Reminiscent of Australia 95, Pete fighting for Timmy from a two sets to love deficit to win an extra emotional match. At set-point in the 4th set (1:2 5:4 40-0), when everyone had a flashback to the Courier match, Pete, again, had a tear in his eye. At the end Pete pointed towards the sky, the match was a monument for Timmy.
After losing the first set on a devastated tie-break and getting into a serious deficit in the second set tie-break, a leg-injured Pete did what destiny already determined - he won his record 13 grand slam title under spectacular setting, with his parents in the crowd and with cameras-flashes lightening the Centre-Court twilight.
Pete getting cramps right after match-point and being dragged out of court to get treatment
- what a script ! On his way to wining the cup single handedly for his country, on his least
favorite surface and under hostel environment, Pete managed to come through a crucial 5th set in which he had cramps.
12. Aus.Open 97, 4th Round vs. Hrbaty 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-4
Nearly 50 Celsius degrees on court, a deficit 2:4 15-40 in the 5th set and a young opponent full of ambition. Pete managed to come through.
13. Wimbledon 93, Final vs. courier 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-3
A very tired Pete in the last 2 sets (suffering from his Thalassemia Minor disease) against a super fit Courier, managed to fulfill his dream and win Wimbledon.
14. Roland Garros 99, 1st Round vs. Marin 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-4
While suffering from fatigue and back aches, a spent Pete pulled out another match in which his health betrayed him.
"It is so often happens with him. He looks down and out. Looks as if he is using up his last bit of energy, but then he summons a bit more from somewhere else."
(Chris Bowers, EUROSPORT Commentator, few hours after the match)
15. Aus.Open 02, 4th Round vs. Safin 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (8-10) (a loss)
After losing the first two sets and going down a break in the 3rd set, Pete collected every part of energy he had in order to fight his age, in addition to his hungry opponent. He managed to do an improbable comeback to win the set, before losing the 4th on a heart-breaking tie-break.
Frew McMillan, EUROSPORT commentator, after the 3rd set: "Well, even if Sampras loses this, that is extraordinary achievement... he could so easily give it away, but what a player, what a man."
16. World Championship 96, Final vs. Becker 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (11-13) 6-4
A very tired Pete in the final 5th set won an epic match. Pete proved again, that when it counts and all eyes are looking, he is one level above everyone else.
17. World Championship 99, Final vs. Agassi 6-1 7-5 6-4
Pete came to the tournament after three months of recovery from injury (while he was
injured, Agassi stole the spotlights with a US.Open title). In the round robin stage Agassi beat him easily, and when they met in the final, almost every "expert" predicted Agassi to win. In reality Agassi had no chance, it was time for revenge.
18. post-match pc
50. US.Open 90, SF vs. McEnroe 6-2 6-4 3-6 6-3
The Quiet-lad assassin versus crazy-old Johnny Mack. Quiet please, thank you.
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