BGod
G.O.A.T.
Okay, so I didn't see the 2018 Wimbledon semifinal between Nadal and Novak live and watched the last set on two occasions on replay.
A few days ago I finally watched the match in its entirety because finding 5 uninterrupted hours for a replay isn't easy. And I have to say, I was blown away.
Now, I am a guy who views the 2009 match as more thrilling than 2008 because of the tiebreak comeback by Fed to level at 1-1 and the 16-14 final set, HOWEVER, I do understand the quality and drama of the 08 match. However my problem with 08 was always the absolute awful 1/13 BPs for Federer. Also the 66-41 UEs by Federer. Yes, the 4th set tiebreak and most of the 5th set was enthralling but the night came in and the quality dropped noticeably in those last few games because of it. So let me make the case for 2018 being the BETTER QUALITY match, not about legacy because it is of course a semi-final.
Opportunities
As stated, the 2008 match saw a total of 26 break chances, 13 for both players. Nadal converted on 4 and Federer just 1. The first two sets went 6-4 for Nadal while Federer came back to even with back to back tiebreaks. There were no break chances in the 4th set while Federer faced 6 in the 5th with Nadal saving the one and only BP faced.
The 2018 match should be remembered for the phenomenal service holds throughout. There was a total 30 and both men saved 4. There was 0 in the 3rd set but a whopping 9 in the 4th and 8 in the 5th. Unforced errors were 61-52 for Nadal, a much more even spread. And then there's the back and forth atmosphere. Djokovic drew first blood and alternated ultimately winning 10-8 in the fifth. The 3rd set tiebreak going 11-9 saw Nadal with the first opportunity at 6-5, again at 7-6 and again at 8-7 before Novak got two of his own and converted on the 2nd to win 11-9. The 7-7 battle in the 5th set was ridiculous and ultimately decided the match. Novak on serve went down 15-40 then faced one more in a total 5 deuces. Nadal saved a match point at 7-8 before finally losing the match 8-9.
The Numbers
The disparity of winners in the 08 match is another point of contention for me. Federer had 98-65 over Nadal, of course trying to make up for the more errors. In the 2018 match, Novak edged out Nadal only slightly 73-72.
The break chances again in 08 went 4/13 for Nadal, 1/13 for Federer. In 18 it was 4/19 Nadal and Novak 4/11. The first serve percentage was near identical in 2018 at 71.6% Novak and 71.4% Nadal while 2008 saw 67.7% for Fed and 74.3% Rafa.
Total points won in 2018 was 195-191 Novak, in 2008 it was 209-204 Nadal.
Conclusion
Obviously some will look at Federer and Nadal being younger and more in prime but the quality of the actual match leaves a lot to be desired. Yes the dramatic 4th set tiebreak where Federer squashed 2 match points to extend it was exciting but he never seemed like he could actually win. Nadal was not under pressure in the 3rd or even 4th set with winning the first two and as a Roger fan the break points really started to wear me down to the point I prayed he could win it, not having any confidence that he actually would. Nadal only faced 1 break point in the 5th and threw it away rather quickly. The 2018 match was more of a seesaw where you honestly could see either man taking it. Add to that no impending darkness and a 2nd day made it way more even and allowed for a complete slug-fest. I of course have watched the last 3 sets of the 08 match plenty of times but it's for nostalgia, outside of the 4th set tiebreak the match never felt even and more of an old man hanging on by a thread delaying the inevitable. Also, the story behind a match is meaningless towards the actual quality of the match, which is why I'm asking about quality than legacy because obvious is obvious.
A few days ago I finally watched the match in its entirety because finding 5 uninterrupted hours for a replay isn't easy. And I have to say, I was blown away.
Now, I am a guy who views the 2009 match as more thrilling than 2008 because of the tiebreak comeback by Fed to level at 1-1 and the 16-14 final set, HOWEVER, I do understand the quality and drama of the 08 match. However my problem with 08 was always the absolute awful 1/13 BPs for Federer. Also the 66-41 UEs by Federer. Yes, the 4th set tiebreak and most of the 5th set was enthralling but the night came in and the quality dropped noticeably in those last few games because of it. So let me make the case for 2018 being the BETTER QUALITY match, not about legacy because it is of course a semi-final.
Opportunities
As stated, the 2008 match saw a total of 26 break chances, 13 for both players. Nadal converted on 4 and Federer just 1. The first two sets went 6-4 for Nadal while Federer came back to even with back to back tiebreaks. There were no break chances in the 4th set while Federer faced 6 in the 5th with Nadal saving the one and only BP faced.
The 2018 match should be remembered for the phenomenal service holds throughout. There was a total 30 and both men saved 4. There was 0 in the 3rd set but a whopping 9 in the 4th and 8 in the 5th. Unforced errors were 61-52 for Nadal, a much more even spread. And then there's the back and forth atmosphere. Djokovic drew first blood and alternated ultimately winning 10-8 in the fifth. The 3rd set tiebreak going 11-9 saw Nadal with the first opportunity at 6-5, again at 7-6 and again at 8-7 before Novak got two of his own and converted on the 2nd to win 11-9. The 7-7 battle in the 5th set was ridiculous and ultimately decided the match. Novak on serve went down 15-40 then faced one more in a total 5 deuces. Nadal saved a match point at 7-8 before finally losing the match 8-9.
The Numbers
The disparity of winners in the 08 match is another point of contention for me. Federer had 98-65 over Nadal, of course trying to make up for the more errors. In the 2018 match, Novak edged out Nadal only slightly 73-72.
The break chances again in 08 went 4/13 for Nadal, 1/13 for Federer. In 18 it was 4/19 Nadal and Novak 4/11. The first serve percentage was near identical in 2018 at 71.6% Novak and 71.4% Nadal while 2008 saw 67.7% for Fed and 74.3% Rafa.
Total points won in 2018 was 195-191 Novak, in 2008 it was 209-204 Nadal.
Conclusion
Obviously some will look at Federer and Nadal being younger and more in prime but the quality of the actual match leaves a lot to be desired. Yes the dramatic 4th set tiebreak where Federer squashed 2 match points to extend it was exciting but he never seemed like he could actually win. Nadal was not under pressure in the 3rd or even 4th set with winning the first two and as a Roger fan the break points really started to wear me down to the point I prayed he could win it, not having any confidence that he actually would. Nadal only faced 1 break point in the 5th and threw it away rather quickly. The 2018 match was more of a seesaw where you honestly could see either man taking it. Add to that no impending darkness and a 2nd day made it way more even and allowed for a complete slug-fest. I of course have watched the last 3 sets of the 08 match plenty of times but it's for nostalgia, outside of the 4th set tiebreak the match never felt even and more of an old man hanging on by a thread delaying the inevitable. Also, the story behind a match is meaningless towards the actual quality of the match, which is why I'm asking about quality than legacy because obvious is obvious.