27 August 2010
Top 5 U.S. Open players in the last 20 years
By Christopher Mayers
In an era where fitness, patience and skills made a perfect tennis player, only a handful of players have actually excelled at Flushing Meadows on more than one occasion. The debate regarding the supremacy of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal might be new for many, but there are many others who excelled before the duo. Bettor.com takes a look at the top 5 players in the last 2 decades at the Flushing Meadows to have made it big:
Number 5 - Stefan Edberg
Before triumphing at the Flushing Meadows, Stefan Edberg was considered to be jinxed at the U.S. Open. He played in the event for 14 years without winning it once, before claiming back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992. As the second seed in 1991, Edberg played against local boy Jim Courier who was seeded at the 4th spot. The Swede was no match for his opponent and claimed the title by winning 6-2, 6-4 and 6-0. He successfully defended his title next year against former champion Pete Sampras who lost the grand finale 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 and 6-2. The title was special to Edberg who was considered a grass court expert, but he kept his cool at the U.S. Open and managed to get a place at the number 5 position on this list for his heroics.
Number 4 - Patrick Rafter
Australia's Patrick Rafter had a good serve and volley game, yet he never used it to his advantage at any Grand Slam before 1997. In the years that followed, Rafter ruled New York with an iron fist and did no wrong. His opponent in 1997 was Britain's Greg Rusedski who lost the title battle in four sets. While Rafter's score in his maiden triumph was 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, he had an easier final in 1998 where he deposed fellow Aussie Mark Philippoussis 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 and 6-0 on his way to his second consecutive U.S. Open title.
Number 3 - Andre Agassi
American tennis great Andre Agassi was overshadowed by the greatest of all --- Pete Sampras --- during his career but that didn't stop him from winning the U.S. Open on two occasions and finding a place at number 3 on this list. For 15 years, he was amongst the contenders for the title and his ability to comeback after losing a match made him a dangerous opponent. He took part at Flushing Meadows for 21 consecutive years, playing his first game at the age of 16 years and his final at 36. He reached the final match on six occasions, winning twice and losing 4 times, yet he remains one of the most influential players to play in New York. His first victory in the grand finale came in 1994 when he defeated German Michael Stich 6-1, 7-6 and 7-5. He had to wait for 5 more years to reclaim the title when he defeated fellow countryman Todd Martin 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3 and 6-2 in what is still considered as one of the best finals at Flushing Meadows.
Number 2 - Roger Federer
To play five out of the last 6 finals at the U.S. Open and still be considered a potential winner describes Roger Federer as the best player to have graced planet Earth. His first loss in six years at the Grand Slam came last year when he lost to Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, but since the South American is not participating this time, Federer might get back to his winning ways on a venue where Rafael Nadal has never been a threat. With five U.S. Open titles, he has joined greats like Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, yet he remains supreme because of his wins came in consecutive years.
His winning streak at the U.S. Open began in 2004 when he defeated former champion Lleyton Hewitt in straight games, 6-0, 7-6 and 6-0. In 2005, he saw off another former champion Andre Agassi 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(1) and 6-1 which was followed by the 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 and 6-1 win against another champion Andy Roddick. In 2007, he humbled Serbia's Novak Djokovic while sent a stunned Andy Murray packing in 2008, defeating them both in straight sets. His exploits were enough to get him a second place on this list.
Number 1 - Pete Sampras
Undoubtedly the greatest player to hold the tennis racket in modern era, Pete Sampras won his first U.S. Open in 1990 at the age of 19 years and his last in 2002 at 31. In between, he appeared in six more finals and missed the event just once --- in 1999 due to an injury. His first victory at U.S. Open final came against Andre Agassi whom he humbled 6-4, 6-3 and 6-2. Sampras won his second title at Flushing Meadows three years later when he defeated Cedric Pioline of France while he defeated Agassi in 1995 and his childhood buddy Michael Chang in 1996 to take his tally to 4 U.S. Open titles.
Sampras decided to end his career after his fifth and final U.S. Open title in 2002, which ironically came against the very opponent he defeated in 1990 --- Andre Agassi. To date, Pistol Pete remains the most influential player to grace the tennis court in the last 20 years, hence the top position on this list.