ForehandRF
Legend
I'll go with 2006 Rome F.Let me know what you guys think
French Open'07 final for me; Federer's backhand was rock solid but his forehand let him down in key moments. Going 1/10 on break points in the first set didn't help matters and he missed the chance to push a rapid Nadal who was hitting venomously off both wings to 5 in this one.
Otherwise, I'd go with the Rome'06 final.
Yet many call his fh the best ever...FH let Fed down in general in RG 07 final, not just key moments.
Yet many call his fh the best ever...
Aa far as question in general goes, Hamburg 02 final vs Safin.
and Rome 06 final was better than RG 11 semi from Fed.
Yet many call his fh the best ever...
One of fed's FH weaknesses has always been consistent depth. He can hit powerful shots, of course, but he doesn't consistently mash the ball deep. His FH is creative, versatile, etc but not suited to push Nadal back on clay like, say, Soderling.
Poll
I'd have to go with Rome 2006 because he had almost put an end to Nadal's longest winning streak on clay. Nadal was pretty much unbeatable on clay those days and yet Federer would have won the epic 5 setter if a point or two went his way. The Nadal of today can only dream of being as strong as he was in 2006. Federer also had the belief that he was as good as Nadal on clay if not better. For the uninitiated, this was the year Federer had said something like "it is wrong (for the media) to say he (Nadal) is better than me on clay."
@Raining hopes are you making a joke because of the avatar?
Unpopular opinion. But yes, I agree. His level during FO '07 final was very high. Had he been a bit more clutch on those gazillion BPs that he had, who knows what could have happened. Right up there with Rome '06, which is the best Federer ever on clay.French Open'07 final for me; Federer's backhand was rock solid but his forehand let him down in key moments. Going 1/10 on break points in the first set didn't help matters and he missed the chance to push a rapid Nadal who was hitting venomously off both wings to 5 in this one.
Otherwise, I'd go with the Rome'06 final.
Oh please! Soderling had ONE great day. Federer beat Nadal on clay when no one else could.
Another match where Federer struggled to return Rafa's serves from the Ad court (what's new, eh) and he NEEDED to win the first two sets; Nadal of course stepped up and shifted to a higher gear in sets 3 and 4.His level during FO '07 final was very high. Had he been a bit more clutch on those gazillion BPs that he had, who knows what could have happened.
Oh please! Soderling had ONE great day. Federer beat Nadal on clay when no one else could.
Yet many call his fh the best ever...
2006 French Final. He really should have won that match.
But of the two in OP I take Rome.
Djokovic 2015Well at least he gave a 6-1 to Nadal in the first set.IIRC Nadal has never lost a set with such a score at RG.
I'd have to go with Rome 2006 because he had almost put an end to Nadal's longest winning streak on clay. Nadal was pretty much unbeatable on clay those days and yet Federer would have won the epic 5 setter if a point or two went his way. The Nadal of today can only dream of being as strong as he was in 2006. Federer also had the belief that he was as good as Nadal on clay if not better. For the uninitiated, this was the year Federer had said something like "it is wrong (for the media) to say he (Nadal) is better than me on clay."
Just out of curiosity, have you actually watched Hamburg 02 final ?
Rome 06 final was obviously very high level (and the 2nd best match that Fed's played& lost - after AO 05 semi).
But Hamburg 02 final was as well (marginally better IMO). Everything was clicking. Fed made a decent Safin look near helpless.
Safin on clay? Hide ya kids hide ya wife!
Hamburg 02 lol....you just gotta laugh man
AMBK is def the leader of the Maestronian army
Back before he got worn down it was TMF
Yeah right.Fed Rome 06 would have straight setted Djokovic 2011.