United States Open tournament: Top three break-out performances of all time
When it comes to the game of tennis and major events, one can expect to see a few names making their way into the later rounds championship after championship. However, almost every year, a Grand Slam competition also features at least one or two unexpected players breaking out and stunning the World with their unpredictable performances. As the month of September approaches and the final Grand Slam event of the season gets underway, bettor.com takes a look at the top three all time great breakout performances in United States Open history.
3 Venus Williams in 1997
It appears as if Venus has been around for long. In her very first United States Open tennis tournament, the unseeded Venus Williams knocked down Anke Huber, an eight seeded player in the third round of the competition back in 1997. The American shockingly made her way into the finals of the competition after getting the better of Irina Spirlea in the third round of the tournament. In the final battle, the American met Martina Hingis, who was definitely no match for the young American. Venus did well to let the World know about her class and ability. Ever since her first US Open appearance, Venus has been a real threat for opponents on the hard court in New York. She currently owns a total of seven major trophies, and will definitely be feared by the rest of the players from the women’s side until the American retires from the game of tennis.
2 Serena Williams in 1999
When the current number one Serena Williams first appeared, she stood under the shadow of her elder sister Venus Williams, who had already become popular in the world of tennis. Serena at that time had been good but not good enough to become the top ranked tennis player in the World. After some disappointing early departures at the start of her major career, she once again appeared on the hard court United States Open tennis tournament back in 1999. In just her second year as a professional, Williams hammered down Martina Hingis at just seventeen-years of age to become the lowest seed since 1968 to grab the United States Open trophy. Serena made her way into the final of the US Open after knocking down the fourth seeded Monica Seles as well as the second seeded Lindsay Davenport, in her earlier matches in a total of three sets each. She concluded the Championship with a total of sixty-two aces. Her devilish serve remained a major problem for her opponents throughout the tournament. Ten major trophies later, Serena currently enjoys the top spot in the WTA rankings.
1 Pete Sampras in1990
Back in 1990, the former World number one Pete Sampras we know today came to the World’s attention for the very first time in his career. Beating the likes of John McEnroe, Thomas Muster, Andre Agassi as well as Ivan Lendl, ‘Pistol Pete’ went on to capture the very first major title of his career. With this victory, Pete also registered his name as the youngest ever player to grab the US Open title when he was just nineteen-years old.
His straight set victory over Andre Agassi in the final battle gave birth to a rivalry that lasted for years. Sampras throughout his career won a total of fourteen major titles.
The American finished off his United States Open career in exactly the way he started it by once again getting the better of his old rival, Andre Agassi, in the final to grab his fifth United States Open singles title of his career.
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