1 Response to toulouse97kiefer_philippoussis

1. Voo de Mar says:

   May 19, 2026 at 6:14 pm

   Points won by each set: | 36-32, 34-39, 33-26 |
   Unreturned serves:
   23 % Kiefer – 22 of 94
   28 % Philippoussis – 30 of 106

   21-year-old Philippoussis [21] and 20-year-old Kiefer [71] were projected at the time to be top players at the turn of the Century. Kiefer indeed finished the 20th Century very high in the ATP ranking (no. 4), but Philippoussis reached his technical and tactical limits in 1997, nonetheless he achieved his best results afterwards. In their French final Kiefer showcased unique returning skills creating plenty of break point opportunities against the fastest server (along with Rusedski) at the time, and almost won in straight sets – he was serving at 5:3 in the 2nd set, at 5:4 two points separated him from victory. In the decider he had no problem to hold five times while the Australian needed to save break points twice. He improved from 0/30 to 40/30 at 4:5, but the German got the last three points. He was very happy that his first title (10th first-time ATP champion that year) came in France, where his mother was born and raised (she accompanied Kiefer that week in Toulouse). Kiefer became only the fourth player in the Open Era to claim a title winning five matches in deciding sets, and what quite bizarre the previous case happened in the same tournament as… Philippoussis triumphed a year before also claiming his maiden title; and just like Philippoussis, Kiefer was at least two games away from defeat in four out of five matches! Both Philippousis and Kiefer, eliminated Raoux inter alia.

   Kiefer’s route to his maiden title (26th main-level event):
   1 Patrik Fredriksson 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
   2 Tim Henman 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2
   Q Guillaume Raoux 6-2, 6-7(2), 7-5
   S Alex Radulescu 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(6)
   W Mark Philippoussis 7-5, 5-7, 6-4

   Serve & volley: Kiefer 13/19, Philippoussis 12/23

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