[SypeKifef]

When you talk about choking, Gabriela Sabatini and Jana Novotna are widely regarded as the two greatest chokers in history. Jana's most notable choke was against Steffi at '93 Wimbledon, while Sabatini choked big-time against Mary Joe Fernandez at the '93 French Open. But who was the worst choker?. Here's a quick look at some of their more memorable choking performances:

Jana:

1993 Wimbledon Final: Steffi Graf d. Jana Novotna 6-7, 6-1, 6-4.

After Jana took the 1st set in a tiebreak, Steffi took control of the 2nd set, to even the match. In the 3rd set, Jana's fantastic net play held Steffi at bay, as Jana jumped to a 4-1, 40-15 lead, and was just 5 points from victory. However, Steffi broke Jana's serve, and won the next 4 games to steal the Title. Even though she lost, Jana gained great public sympathy when she cried on the shoulders of the duchess of Kent.

1995 French Open 3rd Rd: Chanda Rubin d. Jana Novotna 7-6, 4-6, 8-6.

In this match, Jana was leading Chanda 5-0, 40-love in the final set. However, Jana wasted 9 match points, as Chanda rallied for the win.


Sabatini:


1991 Wimbledon Final: Steffi Graf d. Sabatini 6-4, 3-6, 8-6.

After Steffi won a tight 1st set, Sabatini's topspin shots finally started to take Steffi out of her comfort zone, as Sabatini evened the match at one set apiece. In the 3rd set, Sabatini served twice for the Title, but Steffi stepped up her game, and turned the tables on Sabatini. The defining moment occured when Sabatini was just 2 points from victory: Sabatini hit a feeble volley that Steffi raced down and returned for an easy winner. After breaking Sabatini's serve, Steffi held her serve, and disposed of Sabatini 8-6 in a thrilling 3rd set.

1993 French Open Quarterfinal: Mary Joe Fernandez d. Sabatini 1-6, 7-6(7-4), 10-8.

In this debacle, Sabatini was leading Mary Jo 6-1, 5-1 and held 5 match points. However, Mary Joe raised the level of her game, as Sabatini fell apart. Mary Jo hit winner after winner, and kept Sabatini pinned to the baseline. Mary Joe's strategy paid off, as Mary Jo put Sabatini away 10-8 in the 3rd set, ending this marathon match. After this monumental choke, Sabatini was never a factor again at Slam Events.

1995 Lipton Semi: Kimiko Date d. Sabatini 1-6, 7-6(7-2), 7-6(7-4).

Sabatini was cruising along against Kimiko 6-1, 5-1 before coming undone. Sabatini squandered 3 match points, giving Kimiko life. Accepting Sabatini's generosity, Kimiko beat Sabatini in a 2nd set tiebreak to even the match. In the 3rd set, Kimiko finished Sabatini off, taking yet another tiebreak in the process. Even more embarrasing for Sabatini was the fact Kimiko was playing with a sore shoulder, but Sabatini was unable to take advantage of Kimiko's injury.


Of course, you could probably find other matches these two choked away, but I believe the matches I listed are their most well known. In my opinion, Sabatini was a worst choker then Jana, even though many people probably knock Jana more. At least Jana was able to overcome her choking to win Wimbledon, Sabatini was not. Compare Jana's choking to Sabatini's, and tell me who you feel choked more matches away, and why?.

[KLhdfskja]

Now we are talking.
I remember once watching Sabatini play (I think it was against Steffi) where she double faulted once (amid many doubles) so badly that the second serve HIT THE GROUND before reaching the net.
Talk about being tight.
I think you state your case pretty well. But one thing: If I also remember well, Jana SERVED for her Wimbledon victory, and was broken. It was only that Tauziat also choked and was broken back.

[enurneAcourdy]

Wasn't Jana up 4-1 in the third on Hingis in the semis of US Open?

[SypeKifef]

Wasn't Jana up 4-1 in the third on Hingis in the semis of US Open?

Yeah, I almost forgot that one. I think it was the semis of the '97 US Open, where Jana had Martina Hingis buried. Somehow, Jana let Martina off the hook. In any event, I believe it was the year before Jana won Wimbledon, which of course was 1998.

[enurneAcourdy]

Yeah, I almost forgot that one. I think it was the semis of the '97 US Open, where Jana had Martina Hingis buried. Somehow, Jana let Martina off the hook. In any event, I believe it was the year before Jana won Wimbledon, which of course was 1998.

It was '98, right after she won Wimbledon. It was eerily similar to the '93 Wimbledon match. Jana was 6 points from victory and proceeded to lose 18 of the final 22 points.

[cemDrymnVem]

The match with Mary Jo and Gaby at the French was incredible. My recollection is that Mary Jo said that when Gaby was at match point, they had been playing less than an hour and her only goal at that point was to make the match go over an hour. Needless to say she achieved that goal.

Anyway, we had a meeting at work later in the week to deal with some problem, and I remember telling the story of that match as an object lesson. I also remember a couple of people looking sideways at the floor trying to hide their grins as I was talking. Hey, I'll take ideas wherever I can find them.

[SypeKifef]

Now we are talking.
I remember once watching Sabatini play (I think it was against Steffi) where she double faulted once (amid many doubles) so badly that the second serve HIT THE GROUND before reaching the net.
Talk about being tight.
I think you state your case pretty well. But one thing: If I also remember well, Jana SERVED for her Wimbledon victory, and was broken. It was only that Tauziat also choked and was broken back.

That doesn't surprise me at all, about Sabatini's second serve hitting the ground, before reaching net. Sabatini's second serve was her achilles heel, and everyone knew it. I thought her first serve was somewhat decent, but her second serve was dreadful.

About Jana's match against Tauziat, you might be right about Jana having her serve broken, then Nathalie choking herself as Jana broke back. To be honest, I can't remember the exact circumstances. In any event, I think we all agree Jana benefitted playing Nathalie in the Final, instead of Steffi.

I seem to remember a match at the French Open, where Jana held something like 5 match points against Sabatini, yet still lost?. I'm not sure about the year, or the round, but I think it was at Rolland Garros?. From what I recall, Jana did everything she could to hand Sabatini the match, but Sabatini was choking just as much as Jana. The bottom line, both players choked badly, but Jana should have put Sabatini away. Does anybody else remember this match?. If so, maybe you can help me out with the details?.

[enurneAcourdy]

That doesn't surprise me at all, about Sabatini's second serve hitting the ground, before reaching net. Sabatini's second serve was her achilles heel, and everyone knew it. I thought her first serve was somewhat decent, but her second serve was dreadful.

About Jana's match against Tauziat, you might be right about Jana having her serve broken, then Nathalie choking herself as Jana broke back. To be honest, I can't remember the exact circumstances. In any event, I think we all agree Jana benefitted playing Nathalie in the Final, instead of Steffi.

I seem to remember a match at the French Open, where Jana held something like 5 match points against Sabatini, yet still lost?. I'm not sure about the year, or the round, but I think it was at Rolland Garros?. From what I recall, Jana did everything she could to hand Sabatini the match, but Sabatini was choking just as much as Jana. The bottom line, both players choked badly, but Jana should have put Sabatini away. Does anybody else remember this match?. If so, maybe you can help me out with the details?.

There was one in the early 90's at RG where Jana won the first set, then they played a ridiculous second set that Jana should have won, ending in a long tiebreak won by Sabatini. But, the third set was won by Sabatini at either 1 or love. No contest after the second.

[SypeKifef]

There was one in the early 90's at RG where Jana won the first set, then they played a ridiculous second set that Jana should have won, ending in a long tiebreak won by Sabatini. But, the third set was won by Sabatini at either 1 or love. No contest after the second.

Thanks much for the info. Your right, it was in the early 1990's, maybe 1991?. But I'm absolutely certain Jana beat Sabatini at the French Open. I'm just not sure if it was before or after the match your referring to?. Also, I seem to remember Jana played several other tight matches against Sabatini?. If I'm right, there were 2 or 3 other matches where Jana held match points against Sabatini, only to lose?. Whatever the case, Jana gave Sabatini all sorts of problems, even though Sabatini has a commanding lead in their H2H. Didn't Sabatini struggle alot against Mary Jo as well, not just that '93 French Open debacle?.

[enurneAcourdy]

Thanks much for the info. Your right, it was in the early 1990's, maybe 1991?. But I'm absolutely certain Jana beat Sabatini at the French Open. I'm just not sure if it was before or after the match your referring to?. Also, I seem to remember Jana played several other tight matches against Sabatini?. If I'm right, there were 2 or 3 other matches where Jana held match points against Sabatini, only to lose?. Whatever the case, Jana gave Sabatini all sorts of problems, even though Sabatini has a commanding lead in their H2H. Didn't Sabatini struggle alot against Mary Jo as well, not just that '93 French Open debacle?.

Jana got to the semis of RG in '90. I'm pretty sure she beat Sabatini along the way. May have been round of 16.

Funny, I can remember the early 90's better than, say, 2005. I guess I had less pressing outside issues.

[SypeKifef]

Jana got to the semis of RG in '90. I'm pretty sure she beat Sabatini along the way. May have been round of 16.

Funny, I can remember the early 90's better than, say, 2005. I guess I had less pressing outside issues.

Thanks for that as well. The interesting thing to me, was Jana's clay court results are better then I thought they would be. After all, Jana was known as a grass court specialist. Look at Sabatini, who's game was tailor-made for clay. But are Sabatini's clay court results that much better then Jana's?. I don't think so. If someone wanted to make the arguement, about Jana being a better all-court player then Sabatini, I would have a hard time disagreeing with them.