well the last time a defending champion has come from 0-2 in the final to make it a five set thriller was in 1990 . Becker came back to lose in the final set 6-4 However I would put this match above it..the sets were much closer
It takes 150% of Nadal to beat 50% of Federer with a struggling 5 setter. If Federer was not making so many unforced errors in all the breakpoints he had, it would have been a cake-walk for Federer. I hoped Federer will make history by taking 5 in a row and 6 overall. I have to wait for one more year for the later to happen.
RE:Nadal still a long way to go become Roger the great!
by India Calling on Jul 08, 2008 01:26 AM Permalink
Pld do not underestimate Nadal. All those "if"s are meaningless. We have to remember that on the day Nadal was much better than federer at baseline. Federer was better at service but overall the right man won.
RE:Nadal still a long way to go become Roger the great!
by Varun Potty on Jul 08, 2008 07:18 PM Permalink
The unforced errors were really forced by Nadal... His brute strength and clinical placement prompted Federer. Pls consider the repeatability that Nadal achieved in sending the ball to Federer's left so that he has to use his backhand. It was Nadal's match on the whole...
RE:Nadal still a long way to go become Roger the great!
by Ashwin Sardeshpande on Jul 09, 2008 03:47 PM Permalink
Nadal's gameplan against Federer is simple -- just keep hitting high and deep balls to Federer's back-hand relentlessly till it breaks down and draws an error. Its un-sporting on Nadals part I think to exploit your opponents weakness.Nadal ALWAYS wins against the Federer BACK-HAND. I will count Nadal as the best player when he beats Federer on his FORE-HAND. Safin did not exploit Federers back-hand in his semi-final even though he was himself struggling. Thats sportmanship ..
RE:Nadal still a long way to go become Roger the great!
by Rajesh Khandelwal on Jul 08, 2008 12:39 PM Permalink
Nadal would have won the match by 3-0, had he not made some mistakes in the third set. i hope, u have not seen the entire match. Nadal was best and no doubt about it.
RE:Nadal still a long way to go become Roger the great!
by Another Critic on Jul 08, 2008 11:28 AM Permalink
It was never a cake walk for Federer against Nadal because Nadal leads Federer 12-6 head to head.
Well deserved win for Rafa !! He's already achieved what Roger hasn't yet...winning French and Wimbledon, that too in the same year ! He truly played like a real champion...he gave more than his 100% on every point.
Sunday's Final was good but definitely not the best. Fedex was playing 50% of his game. Look like he is always under pressure against Rafa. While Rafa is fighter but sorry to say no class. I still remember the matches between Edberg Vs Becker. Those were the class. Fedex got lots of shots but somehow he never uses them against Rafa. I just hope this does not starts the downlfall of Fedex.
Nadal playied very goodly... Federar is not cathc up Nadal and Federar run and run and run and he losted finnelly. Nobady is able deafat Nadal next ten year... Nadal best
Edberg Vs Becker matches were better. No high speed servs , no muscle game... It was all skill and volley.. I would rate Edberg Vs Becker matches higher..but This match was a great final ofcourse
Edberg vs. Becker, with great all-court play, scorching back-hands, fiery forehands and dipping drop-volleys, and thrilling break-points were the best I have seen. Borg vs. Nastase, and Borg vs. Tanner were also great finals. Federer and Nadal clung on and fought back but the quality of the play was patchy. Nadal has to run round his back-hand; Federer kept hitting to Nadal's forehand; the passing shots and the down-the-line shots lacked consistent precision. Sure they played their guts out. But the match was great for the doggedness than the overall quality.
If there is one person who should be named god it is Roger federer.Words fail the critics about Roger, when it comes to fair play he is not only a champion but also a very good person in general always speaking high of his opponents and yes he will come come back to rule Wimbeldon once again.
It reminded me Golden era of Boris beker ,Even Lendal & Edberg . This trio held superb superb matches in 80 s . Winning french Open & grass is speceial but hats of to fedex for giving nadal real run for his money . May this rivalry continue for few more years .
Agassi Vs Ivanisevic in Wimbledon final- I guess 1992 was the best match- it also lasted 5 sets and Agassi Trumped. Killer service against the pinpointed baseline passing shots- Huh- Never got better match than that one.
RE:Agassi Vs Ivanisevic- I guess 1992
by Type Negative on Jul 07, 2008 11:05 PM Permalink
i tend to differ !!! ivanisevic vs rafter 2001 final was the best !!
