| September 5, 1996 P. Sampras def. A. Corretja 7-6(5), 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(7) An interview with Paul Annacone: Q. Having seen him finish so many matches under those conditions, what was your reaction or concern while this was going on? Annacone: Well, I don't know. I mean, I am not really sure there is any word in the dictionary. I mean, you know the guy is just pretty special, and special people can do special things, and with his stoic personality you wouldn't think he would have a flare for the dramatic. Between here and Australia about 18 months ago, I don't really know what to say except that there is certain things you can't teach and some things you just sit back in awe and take part of, take part in, and to me, it is just pretty incredible. ***** September 5, 1996 G. Ivanisevic def. S. Edberg 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(9) An interview with Stefan Edberg: Q. Do you have any comments on Pete Sampras's performance today? Edberg: Incredible. That is the word for it. I think everybody was watching it in the locker room. And I have seen Pete in other matches and what he can do under those circumstances. I don't think anybody can do it, you know, it was -- it was just one of these matches, it was just hard to believe what was going on there, and I don't know how he won the match, but it was a fantastic effort. ***** September 7, 1996 S. GRAF def. M. Hingis 7-5, 6-3 An interview with Steffi Graf: Q. Did you watch Sampras's match and do you think it was said that if any other one person in tennis could have done that it might have been you, I mean, do you see yourself -- Graf: Thanks. Q. -- With that kind of mental strength to do that? Graf: Well, how he pulled through was just basically incredible. I saw it from the fourth set, the end of the fourth set on and he was struggling, it seemed, in the fourth set, so to pull a match through like that, that is, I mean, the tennis wasn't what it was all about out there. So I mean, if you think that I am the other person who can do it, it is an honor to say that. back to 'Greatest Matches' back to the match' articles |
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