H2H data updated: 2026-07-18 02:15 UTC
Mel Purcell vs Christo Steyn H2H: 1-2
Christo Steyn holds a 2–1 lead over Mel Purcell in their ATP head-to-head. Across 3 main-draw meetings, they are tied 1–1 on carpet, while Christo Steyn leads 1–0 on clay. Most recently, Mel Purcell won the 1987 Philadelphia second round 6-3 6-1.
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USA
Age 67
Right-Handed
178 cm / 5'10"
H2H
1
–
2
3 main draw meetings
RSA
Age 65
Right-Handed
185 cm / 6'1"
H2H Match Log
| Date | Tournament | Category | Round | Surface | Winner | Score | Loser | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 4, 1987* | Philadelphia | ATP 250 | R64 | Carpet | Mel Purcell | 6-3 6-1 | Christo Steyn | Match data |
| Nov 13, 1986* | Wembley | ATP 250 | R32 | Carpet | Christo Steyn | 6-4 3-6 6-4 | Mel Purcell | Match data |
| Jul 30, 1986* | Washington | ATP 250 | R64 | Clay | Christo Steyn | 6-4 3-6 6-4 | Mel Purcell | Match data |
* Estimated match date where the exact historical date is unavailable.
Career Comparison
| Player | Current | Peak | Pts | Elo | W | L | Win % | GS | 1000 | Finals | 500 | 250 | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Purcell | #673 | #21 | 21 | 1,991 | 190 | 164 | 53.7% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Christo Steyn | #620 | #42 | 0 | 1,747 | 43 | 53 | 44.8% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Progression by Age
Seasons are aligned by the age each player spent most of that calendar year. GS and Titles are cumulative career totals through that season.
| Age | Mel Purcell | Christo Steyn | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yr | W-L | Win % | Rank | Elo | GS | Titles | Yr | W-L | Win % | Rank | Elo | GS | Titles | |
| 18 | 1978 | 0–2 | 0.0% | #555 | 1,474 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | 1979 | 2–4 | 33.3% | #245 | 1,508 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | 1980 | 19–13 | 59.4% | #27 | 1,742 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | 1981 | 48–20 | 70.6% | #24 | 1,914 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | 1982 | 38–24 | 61.3% | #28 | 1,837 | 0 | 3 | 1983 | 1–2 | 33.3% | #616 | 1,505 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | 1983 | 30–25 | 54.5% | #28 | 1,770 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 24 | 1984 | 20–21 | 48.8% | #67 | 1,702 | 0 | 3 | 1985 | 15–10 | 60.0% | #77 | 1,657 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | 1985 | 6–9 | 40.0% | #129 | 1,705 | 0 | 3 | 1986 | 22–23 | 48.9% | #67 | 1,676 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | 1986 | 12–16 | 42.9% | #72 | 1,649 | 0 | 3 | 1987 | 5–17 | 22.7% | #278 | 1,530 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | 1987 | 12–23 | 34.3% | #140 | 1,529 | 0 | 3 | 1988 | 0–1 | 0.0% | #601 | 1,509 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | 1988 | 3–6 | 33.3% | #268 | 1,537 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 29 | 1989 | 0–1 | 0.0% | #504 | 1,525 | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |