Sampras VS. Safin

He's proving the naysayers wrong. This guy ain't retiring, he's winning this thing. C'mon Pete!

 

I hope Hewitt whips his butt tomorrow.

 

Did anyone ever decide if Marat Safin was hotter than Jeff Timmons???

 

Because I like Hewitt's game. The kid simply doesn't give up. He runs down every single ball. Sampras relies too heavily on his serve while Hewitt is a more athletic, hustle-player. I like that.

It's time for Sampras to roll over and croak. Lleyton all the way in 2001!

 

Whooooa, how can you say that he relies too heavily. The guy truly does have one of the best serves in the game. However, it is his mental toughness backed up with solid ground strokes and great understanding of the game (and of course the serve). Really, his serve is no more powerful than some other players on the tour. It is his second serve that is so effective. If the more powerful and onsistent server should win this tournament, then Pete would be watching and not playing the finals.

Just look at Safin, he had a very good first serve percentage and the few 2nd serves he had to play were only in around 45% - mental toughness wasn't there.

Pete is just the man. Power like Lendel, unflappable like Borg, and a strategist like Laver. Best ever to play the game.

I think if he wins this one, he is going to focus on winning Wimbeldon one more time before retiring (and hopefully the French along the way). Go Sampras!

 

I'm not saying that Pete doesn't have other elements to his game, or that he isn't a complete player, but just about anyone who knows tennis would admit that his serve is his greatest weapon. Even after all these years, it is his trademark; what he is known for.

That's all well and good, but I've always admired the type of player who doesn't have a big serve and must rely on quickness and savvy to succeed (not that Sampras is lacking in either of those departments, mind you). I cheer for the John McEnroes, the Michael Changs, the Martina Hingises and the Aranxa Sanchez-Vicarios. Lleyton Hewitt is that type of player.

Go Hewitt! Send Sassafras back home with the runner-up plate!

 

Hewitt is just a younger inferior version of Agassi - if Sampras plays to form, he won't stand a chance. I'm not really a Pistol Pete fan, but you have to respect the man for what he's done.

The man is simply clutch.

 

I see it the other way. Anyone who knows tennis realizes that his greatest weapon is his will to win and to be able to pull the big serve out when it is most needed. Once again, if Safin was able to get the 2nd serve in when it counted, Pete would be home today.

And if he takes the runner-up plate home, then so be it. It is still remarkable that he is in the finals....again....10 years later. Pete in three.

 

I think he meant greatest tennis-skill related weapon.

I actually think it is his combination of the killer serve and his excellent ability at net.