Tennis is, according to me, the most exciting game on earth. Why would you 
ask? Well, tennismatches are never the same, there will never be a match 
exactly the same; this is because the opponents are often different, the 
courts, crowds and the weather, the prizemoney, the tournament. Actually I 
think every match is interesting to watch, even when one of the players wins 
6-0, 6-0. You can feel the emotions, tension and atmosphere, you can see the 
thoughts of the players printed on their faces, you can see them fight for 
every point, sweat, suffer, concentrate, and sometimes cry or vomit. 
Unfortunately, there are not many real obvious ‘characters’ on the tour, 
like Goran Ivanisevic, Hicham Arazi, Marc Rosset, Andrew Ilie and Jeff 
Tarango. On the WTA Tour there are of course Anna Kournikova, Martina Hingis, 
the Williams sisters, and some of newcomers. Some people say it is wrong 
that players look so cold on court, but I think that every player indeed IS 
a character. Take Pete Sampras. He is boring on court, some say. I don’t 
think so, because who was it that showed his feelings during the Australian 
Open 1995 against Jim Courier? And who was it, that fought himself to 
exhaustion, in a 4h 30 mins taking five-setter during the US Open of 1996 
against Alex Corretja? The same Sampras. And at Wimbledon 1999, have you 
seen Pete’s elbows, after the final? Covered with blood, after a couple of 
headlong dives. Just like Becker used to do. Even the as most boring 
considered players show that they want to win, show their emotions, and make 
tennis the most beautiful sport there is. And it’s not just one player that 
makes the game interesting, you need two. It’s hard to say for me that there 
is one specific match I’ll never forget as there are a lot that are special.
The type of matches I like the best, are the ‘David vs. Goliath’ type of 
matches, and the matches between two legends, like Agassi vs Sampras. And of 
course marathon-matches, five sets if possible, like Krajicek vs Kafelnikov 
at the US Open 99, or Ivanisevic vs Krajicek at Wimbledon 98. These are the 
type of matches you should tape, and look back after a couple of years, it 
will give you the creeps.

1999 French Open Final
6-Steffi Graf of Germany defeats 1-Martina Hingis of Switzerland 4-6 7-5 6-2
The clash started in terrific fashion, with the crowd's support equal for 
both players. Martina Hingis, 18, the top ranked player was nervous because 
this tournament had eluded her. She was upsetted by Majoli 6-4 6-2 in 1997 
and thrashed 6-3 6-2 by Seles in 1998. Hingis had an easy path to the final.
5-time champion Steffi Graf was more focused on Wimbledon, and using the 
French as a warm up event. Graf had also reached the final on 3 other 
occasions. In contrast Graf had struggled in defeating 2nd seed Lindsay 
Davenport 6-1 6-7 6-3 and 3rd seed Monica Seles 6-7 6-3 6-4 in the previous 
rounds.
In the opening set Hingis broke her racquet in the early stages and received 
a warning. She played well by taking a double break lead. Graf was missing a 
lot of slice backhands. The spectators also sensed the momentum and started 
to cheer for the 29 year old. Hingis played points to the Graf forehand and 
lost her serve when leading 5-2. Hingis needed 4 set points to close out the 
set 6-4.
The standard continued to improve in the second set. Hingis was leading 
2-love, when she asked the umpire to check a mark from a shot which was 
called out. The chair umpire and linesman couldn't find the mark and awarded 
the point to Graf. Hingis was not satisfied and illegally walked around the 
net to point to the line. After more discussion, Hingis called for the 
tournament referee Georgina Clarke. Clarke explained the point would go to 
Graf, and that Hingis would receive a point penalty. The crowd by this stage 
had erupted. Hingis walked around gave the umpire a 'thumbs up' and said 
sarcastically "good job".
Hingis won the following point, but the crowd jeered her. When Graf trailed 
1-3, she really tried to alter her game which she rarely does. Graf 
attempted to serve and volley. Graf hit 3 topspin backhands in one rally 
which the fans 'oohhed' and 'ahhed'. She produced well disguised drop shots 
as she played against Seles. To the crowd's delight, she squared the set at 
3-all.
The seventh game was very draining, with both players doing a lot of running 
in the rallies. Hingis was starting to get frustrated. At different times 
Hingis slammed a ball into the court, leaned over the net and laughed what 
she thought were lucky shots from Graf.
Games were even at 4-all when Hingis played more shots to the Graf backhand. 
She was able to break serve. Hingis won the opening point, The pressure of 
serving for the title would become evident. She yelled "No" after hitting a 
backhand long. Graf kept in the rallies and Hingis panicked. She lost her 
serve after attempting a drop shot.
The vocal crowd appreciated Graf's effort to keep the match alive by 
clapping and screaming encouragement. Graf feeling more confident starting 
making some big serves. She took the set 7-5 and served for a 1-love lead.
Both players took a bathroom break. The excited crowd began a Mexican wave, 
with even the Presidents box participating. Graf returned all smiles and she 
too, participated in the Mexican wave which went round and round. The break 
was a long one, and Graf asked the umpire where Hingis was. She made a point 
on the length of the break by doing some stretches underneath the umpire 
chair.
Hingis returned with a new hair style and clothing, and the crowd jeered her 
more profusely. She took her time getting into position. Graf won the 
opening point and crowd shrieked in excitement. She won the next and the 
next. The crowd was waiting on every Graf move, waiting to cheer.
Hingis's heart was no longer interested, although she did manage to win 2 
consecutive games. Hingis served at match point at 2-5. She was angered by 
the umpires decisions and shocked everyone by serving under arm. Graf was 
not ready and Hingis won the point. The crowd hissed even more. When the 
second match point came, the crowd was restless. The umpire tried to calm 
them down, and Hingis again attempted an under arm serve, which missed. She 
tried to ask for a first serve because the umpire was talking in her swing. 
Graf walked to the umpire and said "Are we going to talk a little bit or 
play tennis". Hingis lost the long argument and the match 4-6 7-5 6-2.
The crowd gave Graf a standing ovation and the 2 players shook hands. Hingis 
packed her things and stormed of the court. Whilst Graf waved to the crowd 
and her support group.
Hingis came back after some time in the arms of her mother. She was 
physically upset by crying, her arms were trembling.
Graf received her trophy from Margaret Court. She said "I feel French! This 
is the most amazing moment in my career, when I look back it will the most 
special ". She was in tears with the atmosphere the French people had 
created. She consoled Hingis by saying " Your too good a player, you will 
win this tournament one day. Don't worry ... please."
Hingis spoke in French making congratulating the champion. She hoped to win 
the tournament one day, but was extremely disappointed after coming so 
close. Hingis hoped that next year the crowd's support would be on her side. 
Hingis then put rose the runner trophy above her head, and the crowd felt 
sympathy and also gave her a big cheer.
Steffi Graf had beaten the top 3 players in the world to take her 22nd grand 
slam. She latter told the world that she had played her last French Open 
because she ended on such a high note.

Davis Cup 2000 in Brazil
Eu fui nos jogos do Brasil contra a Eslovaquia na Davis Cup, o jogo de
duplas do Gustavo Kuerten e Jaime Oncins contra o time da Eslovaquia e o
jogo de simples do Meligeni contra Kucera foram simplesmente maravilhosos no
inicio Meligeni nao teve o apoio da torcida que apos a perda do primeiro set
em parte foi embora. Mas, com muita garra ele superou isto e o enorme calor
para vencer o jogo e classificar o Brasil para as semifinais da Davis Cup.
Em 1999 eu estive no US Open e assisti a semifinal de Martina Hingis X
Venus Williams e foi um dos melhores jogos que eu ja assisti. Teve de tudo,
golpes simplesmente maravilhosos e grandes jogadas.
Se voces puderem assistir esse jogo aproveitem, nao percam esta
oportunidade. E' un jogo unico.

For pure shotmaking, my nominees are (skipping the acknowledge "Mother of
all Matches," the 1980 Wimbledon final between Borg and McEnroe):
1996 World Championships, Sampras d. Becker, , 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4
1988 Aussie final, Wildander d. Cash, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-1, 8-6
2000 Aussie, SF Agassi d.  Sampras 6-4 3-6 6-7(0) 7-6(3) 6-1(2)
For overall tension (basically, nothing beats Davis Cup):
1995 Australia Open, Qtrs, Sampras d. Courier, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
1992 Davis Cup, Sampras/McEnroe d. Hlassek/Rosset, 6-7,6-7,7-5,6-1,6-2
1981 Davis Cup, McEnroe/Fleming d. Clerc/Vilas, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 11-9

1998 FRENCH OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S SINGLES FINAL
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) defeats. Monica Seles (USA) 76 (75) 06 62
I judge this match as my favourite for three reasons.  Firstly and foremostly
are the players.  Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario is undisputedly one of the greatest
counter-punchers tennis has ever seen and she always shows such class and heart
in all of her matches.  Her opponent Monica Seles is undisputedly one of the
greatest attackers tennis has ever seen with thrilling double-handed groundstrokes
that could be described as some of the greatest shots in tennis.
In this match, Sanchez-Vicario and Seles play supurb tennis which in itself
is reason enough to make this match part of your collection.  However the most
thrilling aspect is the dramatic diversity of style in their play.  It is the
dream of every tennis fan to watch a great match and in this you are given a
fierce attacker playing a determined counter-puncher and watching the match
unfold is highly enjoyable.
The second reason that this match is wonderful is the play itself.  Unlike many
of the modern young brigade of tennis stars, Seles and Sanchez-Vicario have
respect for each other and while both want to win the match, they are never
anything less than pure class while giving 110% to every point they play.  The
first set is a thrilling rollercoaster ride culminating with an extremely exciting
tie-break.  The second set shows Seles’ groundstrokes and attacking style at
it’s very best as she roars through it in style 6-0.  The third however show
the complete opposite as, although Seles continues to play well, Sanchez-Vicario
shows how determination and hard-work can pay off as she fight for point after
point to eventually take her third French Open crown.
The third reason that makes this match great is the tournament.  The French
Open is one of the world’s four tennis grand slam events and that in itself
gives the event a certain atmosphere and regal demeanour that sets it apart
from other events.  The red clay surface is in my opinion the finest of all
tennis surfaces and requires skillful tennis to master.
Possibly the finest point of the entire match is after the play is over.  The
acceptance speech given by Sanchez-Vicario is without doubt one of the finest
moments of sportsmanship shown on a tennis court and Seles herself is quick
to follow suit in her acceptance speech.
Red clay, fierce rallies and two of the greatest players of all time.  This
match is a winner all round.
Also matches of note.
1992 French Open Final - Monica Seles beats Steffi Graf 10-8 in the third set
thriller.
1994 Canadian Open Final - Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario beats Steffi Graf in a marathon
final.
1995 Wimbledon Final - Steffi Graf holds out Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in a titanic
match.
1996 French Open Final - The longest French final in history sees Graf take
out Sanchez 10-8 in the third and final set.
1999 French Open Final - The champion Graf sends world No.1 Hingis packing in
a thrilling three set match - one of the most controversial in women’s tennis
history.

Se nell'atletica e nel calcio (Lewis-Owens, Pele'-Maradona) la sfida non
potra' mai avere un riscontro reale, nel tennis femminile, infatti, le due
piu' grandi si sono toccate ed incontrate proprio nei loro momenti massimi e
su superfici diverse.
Io credo, insomma, che un match Graf-Navratilova formato dagli incontri
FLUSHING MEADOWS '86
ROLAND GARROS '87
WIMBLEDON '88
rappresenti un incredibile esempio di "vero" incontro del secolo.
Tre anni a seguire, tre superfici diverse, risultati sempre in bilico,
bilancio complessivo leggermente pro-Graf cosi' come lo e' anche il loro
head to head complessivo (9-9, ma 3-2 nei GS) e come lo sono i sondaggi di
fine secolo.
www.geocities.com/gazerro
www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Birdland/6353