"The Best Matches You Didn't See at the 1997 Lipton"


Number One: Florencia Labat/Rika Hiraki vs. Claudia Porwik/Kristine Radford 2nd Round Women's Doubles, 3/24/97



This was the first match I attended at the Lipton Championships and it certainly was a doozy. Florencia Labat and Rika Hiraki took on Claudia Porwik and Kristine Radford on Court 9. It was the least prestigious of the outer courts seeing action that day, but it has pretty good seating and some very picturesque palm trees for a backdrop.
There was also a very cordial atmosphere at the beginning, as the chair umpire chatted with Hiraki and asked the ballboys to bring some more towels for the players (they were supposedly entitled to only one each, which the umpire considered unfair in the hot weather).
Rika lost the opening coin toss, but she and Florencia got off to a good start after that. They each hit winners in the opening game to break Radford, then hit two winners apiece in Labat's service game for a quick 2-0 lead. Porwik next held at 30 and Hiraki held at love, with Labat chuckling at the end of Game Four. She and Hiraki don't play together very often -- this was only their second tournament of the year as partners -- but they do seem to enjoy each other's company.
Labat and Hiraki squandered three break points in the very long game which followed, but the lefty from Argentina recovered to hold at love for a 4-2 lead. When a Labat backhand winner down the line secured a break of Radford for a 5-2 lead, it looked like clear sailing for the #16 seeds. However, Hiraki's attempt to serve for the set was unsuccessful, as she committed a backhand error to finish the break. A questionable non-call on a Porwik serve brought the next game to 40-15. Labat argued fairly vehemently, insisting "it was so clear." The umpire would not be swayed, though, and the set went to 5-4 as Hiraki put a backhand into the net on the next point.
Having won her first two service games easily, Florencia now stepped up with a chance to close out the set. It wasn't to be -- serving with new balls, Labat was broken at love to even the set at 5 games apiece. Growing more confident and fiery with every game, Porwik and Radford held for a 6-5 lead; Porwik ended the game with an ace. It was now up to Hiraki to hold serve and force a tiebreak. Her chances looked pretty good at 30-all, but two straight errors by Hiraki ended the game and the set. Radford and Porwik had won five games in a row to claim the set 7-5.
Rika and Florencia needed to start strong in the second set...and they did. Porwik hit a volley long to end the opening game, a love break of Radford. Labat/Hiraki took a 2-0 lead, another Porwik volley error bringing the run to seven of the first eight points in the set. However, Porwik completed an easy hold with another ace. Hiraki countered by holding for a 3-1 edge. The fifth game of the set was an exciting one, with Hiraki hitting a beautiful little forehand flip on the run to go up 15-30 on Radford's serve. A nose-to-nose volley exchange three points later ended with a Radford miss, bringing the Labat/Hiraki lead to 4-1.
Unfortunately, holding serve continued to prove difficult for the Labat/Hiraki team. They rallied from down 0-40 to 30-40 in Labat's service game, but a nice winner by Radford clipped the baseline and cut the second set deficit to 4-2. Porwik had to fight off a break point in the next game, but eventually won it with a scorching backhand volley for 4-3. Hiraki held at love in the next game, with a couple volley winners by Labat along the way. When Radford double faulted early in the next game, it looked like Florencia and Rika might take the set without having to serve again. However, Radford held to make it 5-4.
A slight drizzle began in the next game, but it wasn't strong enough to stop play. Labat may have been hoping it had after the game. She hit a double fault to get down 15-40, fought back to deuce, but still managed to get broken. The 16ths seeded partners had once again lost a three-game lead. With their backs against the wall, this time they fought back. They took a 15-40 lead on Radford's serve and broke on the next point when Labat's lob sailed over Radford's head and dropped for a clean winner. Hiraki got her third chance to serve for a set and came through this time. A forehand error by Porwik at 40-15 made this match dead even: 5-7, 7-5.
Porwik and Radford held to open the first set, the game ending on a successful forehand volley by Porwik. The momentum definitely shifted their way in the t the end of Game Four. She and Hiraki don't play together very often -- this was only their second tournament of the year as partners -- but they do seem to enjoy each other's company.
Labat and held her serve quickly and Labat scored a forehand winner to complete a break of Porwik. The set was back on serve at 3-2.
The tension increased in a see-saw sixth game which saw Labat argue anlooked like clear sailing for the #16 seeds. However, Hiraki's attempt to serve for the set was unsuccessful, as she committed a backhand error to finish the break. A questionable non-call on a Porwik serve brought the next game to . Florencia fought off two break points with winners and Radford fought off a game point with a lovely drop volley. Labat finally sealed the deal with a service winner. She and Hiraki had come back from down 3-0 to even the third set at 3 games apiece. Radford completed a 15 hold with a winning smash, however, and the pressure was back on at 4-3.
Hiraki was the next to serve and the early results were not good -- she and Labat got down 0-40. However, a backhand winner by Florencia staved off break point #1. A service winner by Rika then made it 30-40. A dramatic backhand winner down the line by Hiraki killed break point #3: it was now deuce. Radford hits by Hiraki ended the game and the set. Radford and Porwik had won five games in a row to claim the set 7-5.
Rika and Florencia needed to start strong in the second set...and they did. Porwik hit a volley long to end the opening game, a love break of Radford. Labat/Hiraki took a 2-0 lead, another Porwik volley error bringing the run to seven of the first eight points in the set. However, Porwik completed an easy hold with anotine) and she clearly thought the original call had been correct. "It was this far out", "this is the mark", "it was not even close", and "you're being so unfair" were all part of Flo's unsuccessful tirade. Whennts later ended with a Radford miss, bringing the Labat/Hiraki lead to 4-1.
Unfortunately, holding serve continued to prove difficult for the Labat/Hiraki team. They rallied from down 0-40 toing with Florencia on the disputed call.
Game 9 was less eventful -- Porwik's smash at 40-15 gave her and Radford a 5-4 lead. It looked like Florencia would counter with an easy hold of her own up 40-15, but the German/Australian combo battled back to deuce. Hiraki hit a backhand volley winner on the next point, however, and the third set became deadlocked at 5-all when Radford's service return sailed wide. Porwik's powerful serves carried her to a love hold, ending with one her many aces. The pressure was squarely on Florencia's shoulders down 6-5. Aside from getting her serves in, however, Flo wasn't a big factor in the outcome of Game 12. It was a big backhand down the line by Rika which gave them a 30-15 edge, followed by two straight Porwik errors for 6-all. After more than two hours of play, we were headed for a third set tiebreak to finally decide it all. Not that you would know if you'd just arrived -- the court scoreboard began malfunctioning wildly late in the set and was never corrected.
The 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 triumph certainly was a wild, exhilarating ride. It was a match with something for everyone: a few great rallies, aces from Porwik, Florencia's very heated argument with the umpire, many service breaks, some rain, and a broken scoreboard (I even noticed that one of the Miami papers incorrectly reported the third set tiebreak score 7-3). I was definitely flashing back to the last Labat doubles match I saw -- the 1996 US Open second round loss. Flo also had a Japanese partner (Naoko Kijimuta), the match was also a 2-hour-plus marathon, and Labat was of the losing end of another big argument. Thankfully, this Lipton match ended in victory. Florencia and Rika looked very happy as they left the court and signed some autographs.

Number Two: Andrei Medvedev vs. Nicklas Kulti; 4th Round Men's Singles; 3/25/97

Coming off nail-biting wins over Petr Korda and Albert Costa, Andrei Medvedev had to be hoping for an easier match against Nicklas Kulti. Kulti was two rounds removed from his own third set tiebreak victory, a come-from-behind win over Cedric Pioline. Although better known for his doubles prowess, the Swede would not simply be rolled over by Medvedev.
Kulti won the coin toss, but elected to receive, putting the pressure on his 22-year-old Ukranian opponent. Medvedev was up to the task, however, winning the first two points of the match and finishing the game with an ace. Kulti's serve was also looking strong, as he won the first three points of his service game on the way to tying the match at one game apiece. Medvedev had trouble in the third game, with a double fault bringing him to 15-30, but a nifty backhand pass and a solid forehand volley winner bailed him out for a 2-1 lead.
At 30-30 in the following game, a Medvedev backhand clipped the line on chair umpire George Rustscheff's side of the court. Kulti disagreed with the call, but did so in a charactersitically "Swedish way" -- briefly glaring at the umpire with his hands on his hips, but then resuming play. An ace immediately erased the break point and Kulti went on to even the match at 2-all. Medvedev capitalized on several Kulti errors to take a 3-2 lead, but Nicklas responded in his service game with a nice touch volley at 30-15 and another well-timed ace to close out the latest hold.
Andrei also seemed to be rolling along nicely in his service game, whacking an ace and a forehand winner to secure a 40-0 lead. However, he proceeded to lose five points in a row, a backhand error finishing the first break of the match. A dejected Medvedev bounced his racquet upon reaching his chair for the changeover. Kulti continued his run of points with a 40-0 lead in Game 8. He then hit a forehand on the next point which was called out, but overruled in his favor. Medvedev argued to no avail, then let his racquet do the talking with an impressive hold for 5-4. Although occasionally wild with their groundstrokes, both players had established an imposing rhythm on serve.
Unfortunately for Medvedev, the one break earlier in the first was all Kulti needed. Andrei buried a backhand in the net on the opening point of Game 10 and once again bounced his racquet. Nicklas would only lose one point in the game, with the 6-4 set ending on another errant backhand from Medvedev. Ranked just #70 in the world, Nicklas Kulti was one set away from the Lipton quarterfinals. However, his fortunes changed after I left for lunch. Medvedev rallied to win the second set 6-3.
The third set was knotted at 1-1 when I returned. Kulti's demeanor was no longer conforming to the quiet Swedish stereotype -- something uttered in frustration (I couldn't make it out) earned him an audible obscenity warning from Rustscheff. That seemed to spur him on, however, and he came back from down 0-30 to hold serve. The players then exchanged love holds, putting Kulti up 3-2. Kulti was clearly fired up and Medvedev was showing no signs of wilting. Andrei rocketed a passing shot into the corner for a 30-0 lead and hit a winning drop shot for 40-0. Nicklas hit a smash long on the next point, giving Medvedev another love hold to even the deciding third set at 3 games all. Apparently not pleased with the day's officiating himself, Andrei applauded the linesman's call.
As the set wore on, one definitely got the sense that the first player to break serve would be the winner. Kulti held at 15, once again wrapping it up with an ace. Medvedev came back with big serving of his own -- an ace followed by a service winner to tie the set at 4. While the seventh game of a set is assigned special significance by some, the ninth game of the third set loomed large on this afternoon.
Kulti opened with a forehand winner, prompting Medvedev to again bounce his racquet. However, things brightened for Andrei when his opponent made three straight errors for 15-40. Facing double break point, Nicklas beared down and brought the juice -- a service winner for 30-40. Medvedev got a look at a second serve on the next point, but hit the return wide and slammed his racquet to the court with more angry authority than before. Medvedev took the Ad with a smash that Kulti was barely able to return, but the Swede fought off a third break point with a timely ace.
Once again at deuce, Kulti now took the advantage with a service winner. Medvedev, however, kept himself in the game when his shot off a friendly net cord was returned barely long by Kulti. Nicklas missed a forehand on the next point, but Andrei missed a backhand himself to send the game to a fourth deuce. A soft put-away of a dying Medvedev lob gave Kulti the advantage again, but Medvedev battled back with a forehand crosscourt winner. Holding up under the tense circumstances, Kulti took back control by hitting a huge smash which sailed clear out of the court. Medvedev sent a forehand long on the next point, finally ending the 5-deuce marathon. Kulti now had a 5-4 lead and the momentum.
The flaky Medvedev of a couple years ago might have had nothing left at this point. However, Andrei is no longer easily discouraged. He may not deliver as many delightful sound bites as he supplied back when he was an engaging teen, but his new seriousness of purpose produces some great tennis when it counts. Medvedev came right out after the changeover and held at love, putting an exclamation point on the game with an ace. It was 5-5 in the 3rd and the ball was back in Kulti's court. It was gut check time again for two hard hitters who had already been pushed to the limit at this event and had lived to tell about it.
Kulti was the first player to show signs of cracking under the pressure. At 15-15, he badly shanked an easy overhead. However, Medvedev returned the favor by pulling a forehand return of a secnod serve wide. Andrei was sharper on the next point, whipping a backhand passing shot down the line to earn a huge break point. Yet again, Kulti's serve bailed him out of a trouble -- a lunging Medvedev was only able to muster a weak return wide. Kulti next blew a forehand, putting it in the net to set up another break point. Again Medvedev could not put away the game, hitting his return into the net and bouncing his racquet. The exact same scenario played out on the following point, with Andrei's Prince graphite continuing to take serious abuse and Kulti seizing the advantage.
Kulti proved no better at putting away the eleventh game in his first opportunity, mis-hitting a forehand to send the game back to deuce. Medvedev thwacked another service return long, however, and Nicklas had another chance. This time a back-of-the-court rally ensued, ending when a Medvedev forehand either hit the baseline or went long. There was no call -- it was deuce again. Kulti dropped his racquet and glared at Rustscheff, the crowd whistled, but nothing would bring back that lost game point.
Perhaps this latest dispute rattled Nicklas, because his next serve was to Andrei's liking. Medvedev's forehand return clipped the sideline. Kulti's on-the-run reply barely got to the bottom of the net -- Medvedev now had his seventh break point in his past two return games. Things looked dire for Kulti when his first serve missed, but he got the second one in and locked horns with Medvedev for the longest rally I saw in the match. It finally ended when an Andrei backhand sailed long; he had lost another opportunity to claim the break. Kulti tried to take advantage with a drop shot on the next point, but Medvedev ran it down and answered with a forehand crosscourt winner. On break point #4, Nicklas Kulti finally blinked. A double fault gave Medvedev the game and a 6-5 edge in the third and final set.
Medvedev looked determined to avoid his third final set tiebreak in as many days, winning the first point of the game and then taking a 30-0 lead with an ace. Kulti put the pressure back on with a forehand winner for 30-15. However, the next Kulti forehand -- a return of a first serve -- went into the net. Up 40-15, Andrei Medvedev had finally arrived at match point. He cranked up a wicked wide angle serve to Kulti's backhand which would have been an ace...but a foot fault was startlingly called! If ever a call would drive a player absolutely bananas, a foot fault on a point would have ended a long, punishing three set battle would be the one. Medvedev somehow maintained his composure, however, and hit a solid second serve which Kulti steered wide.
A long fight which could have gone either way had finally come to an end. Andrei Medvedev -- minus his old goofy grin, minus almost any hair on his head, and minus any hint of giving up -- had advanced to the quarterfinals by a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 score. If there was any solace for Nicklas Kulti, perhaps it came when the man who eliminated him was clobbered 6-0, 6-3 in the next round by Sergi Bruguera. Medvedev looked rather hopeless in losing the first 11 games of that quarterfinal, but nobody (not even piping hot Bruguera) could take away the three tough victories he had gutted out to get that far.

by Chris Gerby

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