So match three commences, we all know the rules by now!
Steffi Graf versus Chris Evert and on clay courts as well.
Steffi won 22 slams in her career, 6 of those where on the clay of Roland Garros, where she played 9 finals in total.
She is the last non American citizen in this event, although she is married to an American tennis hero, in Andre Agassi and lives in the bright lights of Vegas
Chris Evert, of course , was the American darling of her time. Chris won 18 slams but won 7 on the clay of France and was also in 9 finals. BUT she also won 3 US Open titles on the American clay of Forest Hills between 1975 and 1977, so has 10 clay slam titles in total.
And the two have head to head form as well, Steffi managed to best Chris 8-6 in their career matches. the first 6 went to Chris and then Steffi won the last 8. 4 of those where on clay, in 1985 Chris won 3 times at Hilton Head, Berlin and in Paris, all in straight sets; in 1986, Steffi won in 2 sets at Hilton Head.
So this is on a knife edge and could be anyones match! Vote away!
Votes will close around 2 pm Wednesday
-- Edited by JonH comes home on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 04:36:43 PM
Remember folks, the real French Open may have fallen, and presumably the whole clay season, but the real battle of clay titans is taking place in this match right here!
These are both players we have known during the lifetimes of most people on these boards, and there is as far as I know little difference in their popularity, no cause for sympathy/scandal for either one or the other, as well as (I'm beginning to think this is the 3rd consideration is how good they were on this surface, and in this case, pretty equal.
Players we didn't know, I'd never heard of Federer's opponent or helen wills ... so I voted for the other.
I can see why Margaret Court isn't popular, there's a lot of sympathy for Monica Seles, so the vote has gone accordingly.
Please note a few votes are coming in after matches are finished. None have changed the outcome. But please remember to vote before the match closes. In this case around 2pm today. Thanks!
This turned out to be really close - Evert was up all the way, but Steffi edged back. I was a little loathe to close it but did so spot on 24 hours to be authentic. Maybe some Graf supporters will be kicking themselves on not voting!
Evert winning also means we have all US citizens in last 5 players in the event, so an American winner guaranteed.
