Berdych or Safin...who is better?

[ZhingJ]

Not even close. A healthy Safin is better than Nadal and may even approach Federer.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Not even close. A healthy Safin is better than Nadal and may even approach Federer.

How is he better than Nadal? Safin played well once in a while, whilst Nadal usually plays well every week. Nadal >>>> Safin.

 

[Blake_for_GOAT]

How is he better than Nadal? Safin played well once in a while, whilst Nadal usually plays well every week. Nadal >>>> Safin.

I think he/she means in terms of their highest quality; Safin is as good as anyone. Although Federer has way more consistent periods of greatness, Safin did not (except for 2MS + 1 slam at the end of 04-start of 05). Hard to deny that Safin is the better shotmaker and the bigger talent out of himself and Nadal. Nadal is definately the better matchplayer and is alot more determined/focused and committed to the sport.


Oh and finally, Safin played well 'once in a while' except because he got injured more than any multipule slam champion of this era. Blisters, wrist injuried, leg injuries, niggles with ankles. This pretty much stopped him from doing anything most years.




Anyway Berdych and Safin are actually different players. Safin is actually able to construct points and craft them beautifully. Berdych played way more aggressively because he doesn't have the footwork or the shotmaking ability Safin possesed.

Safin's movement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUUvBXeXlJI

Safin's netplay


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R79KI_LLkXc&feature=related








something Berych lacks; great anticipation and movement.

 

[Seany]

So, you're taking Safin as a better net player because Berdych never plays old style serve and volley?...Holy ****, amazing standards.

If you really think Safin is the better mover than good for you.

I'm telling you this: there was a reason Safin got so low in his post 05 part of his career, because his movement sucked balls.

You are truly stupid, Safin has reconstructive knee surgery in 05, did you see how he moved BEFORE that? watch the 2000 US open or any of his macthes before the surgery, he was up there with the very best movers....To quote Roger Federer:

"For a big guy he moved amazingly well, he revolutionised the game"

 

[safinator]

Yep, Nadal is only better because he is more lucky with the injuries. Marat has spent the best days with injuries, and after them he went losing a strength after strength...It is a shame, for if he did not have all those injuries he might have stabilized mentally and win so much more....
But he is still one the best ever for me, for even the few times he showed his best tennis, it is the tennis I will never forget, and very few players have shown that.
Nadal, yes he wins a lot, but in quite an ugly way for me. These really spinny balls, the eternity he takes to serve, and all his celebrations are just exagerated!

 

[RCizzle65]

Another fantastic Safin volley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBcTHaRF8TQ

 

[jack_kramer]

2 > 0

10 char

 

[Limpinhitter]

Safin!!!!!

 

[Kobble]

Prime Safin was better in all categories.

 

[okdude1992]

Let's see, given how Safin won two slams compared to Berdych's 0, and given the amount of MS titles and the fact Safin was ranked #1 where Berdych's best never even touched the top 3, I would have to say Berdych is better. :-|

good call. you make a convincing point

Here is my breakdown:

Serve- Even. I only give them even since I think Safin's 2nd serve is not that strong and Berdych's is better. I defintiely give Safin the 1st serve. Berdych's serve is strong but it doesnt seem that effective or a huge weapon. I am actually probably generous to tie them as Safin's 1st serve is so much more a weapon.

Return- even. Safin really struggles returning the bigger servers alot of times but is great when he ahold of the serve. Berdych is a very good all around returner. I thought about giving this one to Berdych actually.

Forehand- even. Berdych's has a bit more power but Safin's also is very powerful and he has more versatility. Both can make errors of this side but not too bad.

Backhand- Safin. Berdych has a powerful and strong backhand, but Safin is better here. No contest really.

Movement- Safin. Berdych is mediocre at best here.

Volleys- Safin. Again Berdych is mediocre at best here.

Mental game- Even. Safin is a nutcase out there in many ways but he has the champions mentality to win all the same. His big wins including in some tough matches like the 2005 Australian Open semis proves that. Berdych is at times fairly stable mentally and focused, but in addition to not quite having the game to win major titles perhaps he doesnt quite have the mentality to do so either. In this years Wimbledon final he never looked for a moment he believed he could win.

Overall- Safin clearly

honestly i agree with this analysis. alot of things about both their games are pretty similar, but safin is just a bit better in almost every way

 

[safinator]

Did Safin really get PWNED that badly in the Rafa vs Safin USO 2000 thread, that his fans decided to make this thread where he wins by a landslide?

From what I remember, that thread is still going strong with people qualifying their statements with stuff like 'Safin in the form he displayed from 2-1 to 3-2 in the second set would destroy Rafa 6-0 6-0 6-0'... etc

No, not at all. There were many ppl, if not more than Nadal's fans, who said that Safin would crush him. As a matter of fact, if you count the posts I am pretty sure that there will be more posts saying Safin would win.

Sincerely, I think that this thread has nothing to do with the Nadal's comparison thread, for I think that this thread is very logical. Both Safin and Berdych are very similar physically and tennis wise.