stuttgart96muster_kafelnikov

By | Published May 22, 2026 | Full size is 533 × 403 pixels

Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to stuttgart96muster_kafelnikov

  1. Voo de Mar says:
    May 22, 2026 at 3:18 pm
    Points won by each set: | 38-28, 26-15, 40-32 |
    Unreturned serves:
    32 % Muster – 27 of 82
    18 % Kafelnikov – 18 of 97

    On paper it was the most wanted final because two recent French Open champions, top seeded players met (Muster ’95, Kafelnikov ’96). The Russian [6] probably had a clear strategy to play aggressive returns and harass Muster with dropshots (returns included). It didn’t work at all, yet he didn’t change that strategy and a pattern of two breaks for Muster [2] each set was almost triplet, however, at *3:5 (0/40) in the 3rd set Kafelnikov won the longest rally of the final (29 strokes, finished it with an overhead). Muster was running more in it, and he lost the game squandering four championship points in total. During the change of ends he regulated his breath, and served the match out without any problem. Just like a year before, Muster was awarded with a Mercedes car, a famous formula driver Mikka Hakkinen gave him the keys. Muster was almost invincible on clay in the years 1995-96, his amazing disposal on that surface evaporated a few days after his triumphing in Germany. Muster moved to Kitzbuhel, won two matches easily, but lost in the quarterfinal to a ‘lucky loser’ Benfele Alvarez 1-6, 5-7 for whom the Kitzbuhel semifinal meant career-best result at the time (he woild advance to the final in the same event in 2000). Following that defeat, Muster was never the same on clay; the second part of the 1996 season featured a transition in his attitude – he was trying to serve 1st and 2nd serves faster, hitting the basic shots closer to the baseline, and the year 1997 would be the best for him as far as hardcourts are concerned.

    Muster’s route to his 41st title:
    2 Marcos Gorriz 7-6(5), 7-6(2) ☆
    3 Galo Blanco 6-3, 6-0
    Q Francisco Clavet 6-2, 6-4
    S Alberto Berasategui 6-3, 6-3
    W Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-2, 6-2, 6-4

    Serve & volley: both 0/1

    ☆ The longest two-set match in Muster’s career (2:09h); he trailed 0:4 in the 1st set tie-break, and 4:5* in the 2nd set

    # Comparison of their two ‘best of five’ matches:
    French Open 1995 (SF): Muster d. Kafelnikov 6-4, 6-0, 6-4… 1 hour 23 minutes… Total points: 88-60… Breaks: 5-0
    Stuttgart 1996 (final): Muster d. Kafelnikov 6-2, 6-2, 6-4… 1 hour 40 minutes… Total points: 104-75… Breaks: 5-0

Leave a Reply