On this day: Jimmy Connors pulls out US Open lucky charm in Aaron Krickstein win

In one of the most notable Grand Slam matches in the previous three decades, the Flushing Meadows crowd could watch their favorite birthday boy Jimmy Connors in 1991, like many years before. Ranked 174th, the 39-year-old gave his best in a hard-fought 3-6, 7-6(8), 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) triumph over Aaron Krickstein in four hours and 41 minutes! The veteran advanced to his 17th US Open quarter-final after missing the event in 1990 for the first time, having to skip almost the entire previous season due to a wrist injury and surgery. Eventually, Jimmy would reach the semis as the third-oldest player in the Open era at Majors, behind Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzales! Aaron had a colossal chance to cross the finish line first, leading 5-2 in the final set before Jimmy fought back in what Connors' swan song, refusing to surrender in front of his partisan crowd that had been supporting him for almost 20 years at the US Open.

Krickstein had the better start, breaking Jimmy in game four for a 3-1 lead when the veteran netted an easy backhand. That one break was enough for Aaron to claim the opener 6-3 in 38 minutes, closing the set with a service winner and looking for more of the same for the rest of the encounter. Connors scored his first break in the fourth game of the second set after a poor volley from Krickstein, moving 4-1 in front and increasing the advantage with another break, serving for the set in game seven. Aaron pulled one break back to stay in contention and was back on the scoreboard with another successful return game at 3-5, reducing the deficit and extending the battle that could have sent him two sets to love in front. The tie break turned out to be a real cracker after poor calls from the chair umpire, with Jimmy fending off two set points at 5-6 and 7-8 (was robbed in the previous point), taking the breaker 10-8 with a volley winner to receive a massive boost.

Jimmy Connors trailed 5-2 in the decider vs. Aaron Krickstein at US Open 1991.

The third set kicked off with a break for Connors, who missed three break chances next time around that could have pushed him even further ahead. Krickstein recovered his game completely after that, taking charge through the rest of the set and winning six straight games for a 6-1, making the best possible comeback after the second set failure. The clash was heading towards the three-hour mark when Connors broke in game six of the fourth set with a volley winner to move 4-2 in front, repelling two break points in the next one and serving for the set at 5-3. The veteran brought it home with a service winner to send this incredible encounter into a decider, the best possible way to determine the winner after an excellent campaign. Aaron was still the favorite, being the much younger player and a five-setter specialist, with everything going his way in the first couple of games.

Krickstein fended off a break chance in the opening game and stole Jimmy's serve in game six with a forehand winner to open a 4-2 advantage, moving closer to the finish line and his first victory over Jimmy in six encounters. The seventh game turned out to be a real classic. Aaron brought it home after no less than eight deuces following a volley error from Jimmy, putting the five-time champion on the verge of defeat as he had a mountain to climb if he wanted to get back on the scoreboard. With no intention of slowing down, Connors reduced the deficit to 5-3 with a much-needed comfortable hold, having to grab a break in the next one as Krickstein served for the victory. Aaron erased two break points to reach the deuce, moving just two points away from the finish line before Connors found the way to shake off the pressure and break back with another volley winner, making the Stadium erupting in joy.

Jimmy was good at the net again in game ten, leveling the score at 5-5 with a forehand volley winner and increasing his chances for a complete comeback. Krickstein managed to stop his downfall with a hold at love in game 11 and Connors sent the match into a deciding tie break with a smash a few minutes later, setting up the best possible finish of this extraordinary duel and offering the crowd a chance to enjoy in more tennis. The veteran moved 2-1 up after two winners and scored a mini-break in the next point thanks to a deep return that Aaron couldn't control, opening a 5-2 lead with a service winner and blasting another unreturned serve in the tenth point to move a step away from triumph. Connors sealed the deal with a backhand volley winner, taking the breaker 7-4 and starting his familiar "one leg" celebration with the partisan crowd that witnessed one of his most notable wins ever, happy they got the opportunity to see him in at least one more match. Jimmy made them proud once again in the quarter-final, beating Paul Haarhuis to set another thrilling clash with world no. 5 Jim Courier in the battle for the place in the final. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3gQNmyD