(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.
Another match in which Agassi was, so called, the favorite, after Pete didn't play good tennis (in his standards) the whole year. Well, it was also another Sampras-Agassi match-up in which all of the tennis "experts", who didn't figure yet (after 9 years !) who is Sampras, ate their words. Honoring the Wimbledon final, Pete changed gear and produced his best grand-slam final performance ever (tennis wise), showing his greatness once again.
"...he walked on water today".
(Agassi, in regards to Pete's serving, at the press-conference after the match)
8. US.Open 01, QF vs, Agassi 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5)
After a bad year in which he lost his Wimbledon crown, Pete is again the underdog by the bookies against Andre. After losing the first set on a breaker in which he let chances to slip away, and against the super fit Agassi, everything looked gray, very gray. But, this was the US.Open, and it was the night time - time for Pete' pride to take center stage. In one of the greatest matches of all time, Pete won three breakers in a row to win a match with zero breaks. WOW !
"Well, the best match I ever seen. There is no doubt about this !"
(Frew McMillan, EUROSPORT commentator, few hours after the match)
9. Aus.Open 00, SF vs. Agassi 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-0) 6-7 (5-7) 1-6 (a loss)
Maybe the greatest clutch serving performance ever. At one point, in the 12th game of the 3rd set, after another 2nd serve ace, Brad Gilbert shook his head in disbelief, probably wondering who created that creature called Sampras.
"It's astonishing, I mean it's immortal".
(Frew McMillan, EUROSPORT commentator, after Gilbert shook his head)
"The words just don't suffice anymore."
(Chris Bradnam, EUROSPORT commentator, regards to Pete' serving during the match)
10. Wimbledon 00, Final vs. Rafter 6-7 (10-12) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-2
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. US.Open 95, Final vs. Agassi 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5
Everything was on the line in this match, including who's better, and there was no chance Pete was going to lose it. Andre Agassi may be a great player, but when you facing the Grand-Slam eyes of Pete, everything is under a different perspective.
19. US.Open 92, SF vs. Courier 6-1 3-6 6-2 6-2
Pete suffered tremendously in the last stages of the 4th set, as result of the Thalassemia Minor he has, but managed to keep his lead and win.
20. US.Open 93, QF vs. Chang 6-7 (0-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 6-1
This was a match that every fan who saw it should have realized that Pete is going to be something very special. The way he crushed Chang in the last two sets, and the looks in his eyes throughout, were daunting. post-match pc
21. US.Open 90, Final vs. Agassi 6-4 6-3 6-2
Pete demolished Andre to become the youngest US.Open champion ever, and gave a hint for the future.
22. Davis Cup SF 97, 2:1 match vs. Rafter 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-1 6-4
Rafter was a "marked man" after his US.Open win. The result: best tennis to ever been seen. The US.Open champion had been dismissed from the court in a stupendous way.
23. Davis Cup Final 95, 2:1 match vs. Kafelnikov 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7-4)
Masterful performance on the red clay of Moscow to win the cup in a hostel environment.
24. US.Open 01, SF vs. Safin 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3
Continuing his Cinderella story with an immaculate performance against the man who
beat him in the previous year final.
25. US.Open 02, 4th Round vs. Haas 7-5 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 7-5
Huge win against an excellent opponent. The deterrent presence of the great man was back.
26. US.Open 01, 4th Round vs. Rafter 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-4
Stunning performance after a lot of people considered him washed-up.
27. Aus.Open 95, SF vs. Chang 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-4 6-4
Two days after the "Courier match", a very tired Pete prevailed against a 20 aces
performance by Chang.
28. Roland Garros 96, 2nd Round vs. Bruguera 6-3 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 2-6 6-3
In the second match since the death of his coach few weeks earlier, Pete played
a brilliant 5th set to beat the former two-time champion.
29. US.Open 00, QF vs. Krajicek 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-2
Pete came back from the deads to beat his old nemesis in a spectacular way.
After being 2:6 down in the 2nd set tie-break, suddenly, an inspired Pete changed
gears and did the impossible. post-match pc
30, US.Open 02, 3rd Round vs. Rusedski 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-4
The "step and a half slower" man does the real first step towards a glorious parade.
31. Roland Garros 97, 1st Round vs. Santoro 6-3 7-5 6-1
Coming with a make-it-short-as-possible policy (result of previous year events), Pete tore apart the local guy, playing the best clay court tennis of his life.
32. San Jose 96, Final vs. Agassi 6-3 6-2
First match ever in which the winner becomes the world' number one player (replacing Muster), turned out to be a mismatch. Pete gave Andre a clinic.
33. Wimbledon 01, 4th Round vs. Federer 6-7 (7-9) 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 (a loss)
Being in an average Wimbledon form until this match, Pete had to raise his game to a level he hasn't been familiar since breaking Emerson record, and so he did. His serving was clutch and he fought brilliantly.
34. Davis Cup QF 00, 2:2 match vs. Dosedel 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-2)
After Pete strained a leg muscle early in the first set, the picture looked gray for the USA. However, as he did so many times in the past while being in trouble, Pete served tremendously and clinched the tie.
35. US.Open 90, QF vs. Lendl 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 4-6 6-2
Stopping Lendl's streak of 8 consecutive US.Open finals.
36. US.Open 02, QF vs. Roddick 6-3 6-2 6-4
Pete was the underdog by most of the media, that promote this match as passing of the torch, maybe.
Well, there was no contest against a bit injured Roddick. The magical ride continued.
37. Aus.Open 95, 4th Round vs. Larsson 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-4 6-4
Two days before the epic match against Courier, Pete fought not only for himself but also for his ill coach. It was an emotional come-back, a fact that the public found out only two days later.
38. Wimbledon 96, 2nd Round vs. Philippoussis 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-4
Revenge match. Philippoussis had no chance - it was a clinic.
39. Wimbledon 97, QF vs. Becker 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-4
There was a little buzz before that match, but it didn't last for long. Pete at his best.
40. Aus.Open 94, 2nd Round vs. Kafelnikov 6-3 2-6 6-3 1-6 9-7
Tough match against a newcomer, but Pete's magic, when it comes to a 5th set, prevailed again.
41. Wimbledon 95, SF vs. Ivanisevic 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 6-3 4-6 6-3
Again, when it comes to a 5th set, Pete at his prime was unmatchable.
42. Aus.Open 97, SF vs. Muster 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-3
Pete, in stunning form, gave a clinic to Muster and sent a hint to what will be his best year, tennis wise.
43. Roland Garros 01, 1st Round vs. Kauffmann 6-3 4-6 6-2 3-6 8-6
Pete came back from 3:5 down in the 5th, saving 3 match-points on the way.
44. US,Open 96, 4th Round vs. Philippoussis 6-3 6-3 6-4
The revenge continued.
45. Wimbledon 98, Final vs. Ivanisevic 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 3-6 6-2
Pete, in his worse Wimbledon form since his first title at SW19, still managed to do his magic in the 5th set.
46. Wimbledon 97, 4th Round vs. Korda 6-4 6-3 6-7 (8-10) 6-7 (1-7) 6-4
5 sets in a Major and Sampras - winning combination almost every time when Pete was in his prime.
47. Wimbledon 95, Final vs. Becker 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4 6-2
The easy way in which the victory had been achieved, showed how good Pete was.
48. Aus.Open 94, SF vs. Courier 6-3 6-4 6-4
It was a big match and Pete was not going to be denied.
49. US.Open 96, Final vs. Chang 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-3)
Three days after the Corretja match, Pete officially saved his year on what would have been the 45th birthday of Timmy. 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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