1 Response to wb99rafter_martin.

1. Voo de Mar says:

   July 4, 2026 at 12:07 pm

   Points won by each set: | 46-38, 39-41, 43-42, 45-44 |
   Unreturned serves:
   37 % Rafter – 62 of 166
   35 % Martin – 61 of 172

   Rafter and Martin played four “best of five” matches against each other in the 90s, the first one (US Open ’94) Martin won in four, then Rafter twice five-setters (1998-99) and once in four sets. That Wimbledon four-set victory was longer (3 hours 31 minutes) than their two five-setters (3:26h and 3:13h respectively). The 1st set was pretty crazy despite only nine games – Martin [14] held thrice saving break points in three games (4 deuces in each game) because Rafter’s forehand was working better than usually, then Martin led 40/15 on Rafter’s serve and the match was suspended due to rain. After the resumption the following day, Rafter [2] fought off the double break point, won three games in a row, then Martin three, and Rafter three again. From 3-all in the 2nd set to the end, the match was super tight, Martin had his chances to win both tie-break sets he lost. In the 3rd set he had a break point at 4-all and led 3:0* in the tie-break. At 5-all in that tie-break Rafter showcased his great athleticism winning a point sprinting forwards after a very good stop-volley (a bit accidental though). In the 4th set the American led 5:3 (30-all) on serve, and 5:4 (40/0) – Rafter erased the triple set point with two unretuned serves and an ace. The tie-breaks: 5/7, 7/5, 7/3.

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