by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
It’s the greatest single shot hit in the history of the U.S. Open.
Sure, there have been shots hit behind the back, throw the legs, with their back turned to the net and shot around the post at the U.S. Open, but under the circumstances, the Jimmy Connors passing shot from an inch off the ground, nearly around the post in the critical final points of his 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 fourth round victory over Adriano Panatta in the fourth round of the 1978 U.S. Open is the greatest shot ever at the U.S. Open.
The shot can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vx6Uoax6uk
And the shot and match is detailed in my “On This Day In Tennis History” book (for sale here https://a.co/d/e1XCgQC) below.
September 5, 1978 – Jimmy Connors rallies from a 3-5 fifth-set deficit and defeats Adriano Panatta 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 in 3 hours, 36 minutes in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Panatta serves for the match at 5-4 in the fifth set and is two points from victory at 30-30. Connors hits one of the most incredible shots in the history of the Open at 5-6, deuce in the final set – an around the post backhand passing shot. Writes Barry Lorge of the Washington Post. “Panatta saved four match points as he served at 5-6 in the tingling final set, but Connors got to match point for the fifth time on an astounding shot – a running backhand down the line off a ball 10 feet out of court and practically behind him. Panatta’s forehand cross-count volley would have been a sure winner against virtually any other player. Connors played the shot one-handed, unable to get his right hand on the racket for his usual two-fisted grip on the backhand, and drilled the ball around the net post. It landed inches inside the sideline as Panatta watched forlornly.” Says Connors, “When I took off after that ball, I knew I could get to it, but I didn’t know what I’d be able to do with it. First, I just wanted to get it back, to make him play another shot. But he wasn’t in great position, so I went for it. It nearly took the net judge’s head off.” Says Panatta, “In Italy, we have a saying: “He did not want to die.” I think that is the biggest positive point for Jimmy. He fights on every point, so you can’t relax not even one single point.”
Of course, what made the shot even more special is that three rounds later, Connors won the singles title – his third of five in New York – defeating Bjorn Borg in the final.
