Chris Evert d. Pam Shriver - 1978 US Open final

After Shriver upset Navratilova in the semis, Chrissie faced Pam Shriver for the title of the US Open in 1978. In what was probably their most dynamic contest, even if only their first meeting, Chris wins her 4th US Open championship in a row. And how about those wood rackets? With the touch and variety of court craft, and the crowds thrilling at the war of artistry... This footage is before the over-emphasis on power in the tennis equation had gone unregulated, which allowed more impressive qualities than onslaught and attrition to determine the results.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• chris
• evert
• pam
• shriver
• 1978
• us
• open
• tennis
• ice
• maiden
• princess

[mbblover]

pam looked tough in this match... movement good and even her so called "weak groundstrokes" looked tough with all that slice and how she angled them short in the corners to move the player around.... hard to believe that she at this time HAD NOT once beaten tracy austin? if she could compete with chrissie in this match who at the time of this match in 1978 was a notch or two above austin still... perhaps more a mental block than a physical/talent one with shriver vs austin during this time?

[twilliger123]

@gandolph7poet Shriver was at her very best at 16?? No, she later was ranked as high as number 3 in the world and was number one in doubles. She was just starting at 16...

[twilliger123]

@kimskis and it got her to a grand slam final at 16......have you?

[kljMN2]

Pam played very well considering it was her first major final. Just a damn shame she couldn't get back to another singles final.

[kljMN2]

Around 4:20 - what a point!!

[circuitdesign]

I never saw Shriver play before, just saw her commenting on TV. And did I hear correctly that she was just 16 in this match? Wow! Well, it was clear her strategy was to get into net at all costs. In the first set, her approach shots were way too weak, especially against someone who had world class groundies like Evert. Shriver had a good serve and great volley. She tried to maximize her strengths here, but Evert was too mentally tough and was so effective from the back of the court.

[circuitdesign]

@kimskis I noticed that too! Slices from both sides. Man, you really don't see the forehand slice used too much anymore, do you? LOL!

[gandolph7poet]

Chris Evert had the best lob in the history of the game. And I felt it was the stroke that won her this match. There are many great victories that Evert had , but this one must be one she treasures because this was Shriver at her very best.

[kimskis]

LMAO...Shriver was slicing both her BH and FH all the time. Ancient tennis

[maestrodimente]

Thank you so much for posting this match! I've never before seen it, and have always wished to do so. The level of skill evidenced is nothing short of a revelation, and I thank the Lord that I was born in and able to enjoy an era of women's tennis that puts today's on-court protagonists very much in the shade. A real treat! ;-)