Tougher opponent for Federer: Murray or Nalbandian?

[Anti-Fedal]

H2H

Fed-Murray
Overall: 12-11
Majors: 4-1

Fed-Nalbandian
Overall: 11-8
Majors: 4-2

Tough call this one. Murray's biggest wins came against Federer in the Olympics final and at the 2013 AO. Nalbandian's biggest wins were at the 2003 AO + USO and 2005 YEC final. David missed a good chance to beat Fed in the 2006 RG SF when he got injured IIRC.

What do you guys think?

 

[Tennisknowledge99]

Both are tough and did defeat Fed in some important stages of tournaments. Fed has to play his best if he wants to beat them at their best

Nalbandian was a toughest opponent for Fed early in Fed's career and even Fed's peak form, Nalby did record some of his win over Fed in Fed's prime, especially 2005 Tennis Masters Cup. It's a shame that Nalby never win Grand Slam

Most of time Murray beat Fed, Fed was in decent shape (2006 cincy, 2008-early 2009), Murray did beat Fed in some important stages too but at that time Fed past his prime and he was tired in 2012 Olympics Final

Fed-Nalby match is always better than Fed-Murray match

If Nalby stayed healthy, he would be tougher for Fed

 

[Bukmeikara]

Nalbandian because even against the best version of Fed he had a chance to win. So much potential which brings so manny "ifs" for David...

 

[RF-18]

I would say Murray.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Stupid Olympics, with no recovery time. JMdP did a lot of damage to Federer's chances, no matter how well Murray was playing.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Also he beated Fed at his best events - Basel, Australia, Us Open and WTF(only missing is Wimbledon)

 

[NatF]

Nalbandian has more big wins but I'd say Murray has been a more consistent tough opponent. It's close though.

 

[RF-18]

Nalbandian because even against the best version of Fed he had a chance to win. So much potential which brings so manny "ifs" for David...

Well 2008 was still a very good version of Federer where Murray won him consistently, he even got a win in 2006 in one of federers best years (three GS titles and a final).

This is a tough one though as you say Nalbandian won him more in grand slams, where is murray has only beat federer once in a GS event and that came two years ago.

12-11 shows that its closer encounters than 11-8 though.

Nevertheless I pick Murray as the tougher opponent for fed, like I said earlier in this thread. Not changing my statement.