Best BO5 matches in 2016?

[InsideOut900]

Ok,I think is about the time to have a thread like this.
So I am going to create separate threads for BO5 and BO3 and bump them again at certain points.
Poll will include any match that I think belongs there and I am open to suggestions.
Link to BO3 thread: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/best-bo3-matches-in-2016.575865/
So there it goes:
1) Federer-Cilic Wimbledon QF: Had pretty much everything,good level of play,absolute drama(Cilic choking match points TWICE) and a memorable comeback from RF trailing a 2-0 sets deficit(even more impressive considering his age and physical state)

2)Del Potro-Murray DC semifinal: long grueling 5 hours match and Del Potro's best win after his comeback;high quality match and really really great to watch

3)Raonic-Stan AO QF: very nice offensive tennis display from both with a fairly low UE count;Raonic applying his new coming into the net tactics to get one of the best wins in his career

4)Raonic-Fed Wimby SF: of course couldn't miss one of the other important 5 setters this year:not much to say about this match,but it was a worthy performance by Raonic to get to the final;great stuff from him in the 1st and last set

Honorable mentions to Murray-Raonic in AO,USO final and

Spoiler: Spoiler

Edit:Nadal-Pouille in the poll @The Fedfather

 

[The Fedfather]

Pouille-Nadal at the USO is certainly up there. Was better than Raonic-Federer IMO.

 

[tennisaddict]

Pouille-Nadal at the USO is certainly up there. Was better than Raonic-Federer IMO.

Agree. Fed-Raonic match was one sided in Fed's favor except for first 10 minutes and last 10
Minutes.

Rafa-Pouille match was great. What about Rafa-Verdasco ?

 

[The Fedfather]

Agree. Fed-Raonic match was one sided in Fed's favor except for first 10 minutes and last 10
Minutes.

Rafa-Pouille match was great. What about Rafa-Verdasco ?

Haven't watched it, unfortunately.

 

[Rafa the King]

Seems like Rafa is still producing the best matches of the year, just not winning them anymore

 

[KINGROGER]

USO final
Nadal vs Pouille
Federer vs Cilic
Federer vs Goffin Australian Open

My favourites.

 

[Zebrev]

Federer - Cilic
Zverev - Berdych
Murray - Nishikori

 

[mike danny]

Seems like Rafa is still producing the best matches of the year, just not winning them anymore

Back in 2010/2013 he would not have produced them.

 

[Rafa the King]

Back in 2010/2013 he would not have produced them.

He produced (for me) match of the year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and only lost 2 of them.

 

[metsman]

He produced (for me) match of the year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and only lost 2 of them.

would disagree on 05 and 13 but yeah no doubt he has his fingerprints on many classics of the game (and as a winner too)

 

[Rafa the King]

would disagree on 05 and 13 but yeah no doubt he has his fingerprints on many classics of the game (and as a winner too)

What are your best matches of those years?

Rafa vs Coria Rome and Rafa vs Djokovic RG would be my pick.

 

[NatF]

What are your best matches of those years?

Rafa vs Coria Rome and Rafa vs Djokovic RG would be my pick.

Federer vs Safin AO and Wawrinka vs Djokovic AO.

 

[Rafa the King]

Federer vs Safin AO and Wawrinka vs Djokovic AO.

Wow, my memory is starting to fail me.....
Fully agree about 05, but still will stand by my pick for 13, albeit for that 5th set alone

 

[NatF]

Wow, my memory is starting to fail me.....
Fully agree about 05, but still will stand by my pick for 13, albeit for that 5th set alone

The FO SF 2013 is so overrated, great fifth set but the rest of play was so patchy. The 4R with Wawa or Novaks bout with Del Potro were higher quality.

 

[Rafa the King]

The FO SF 2013 is so overrated, great fifth set but the rest of play was so patchy. The 4R with Wawa or Novaks bout with Del Potro were higher quality.

I don't share your opinion and the 5th set is the most important set, the match was also more significant than the two matches your mention. That's why I consider it to be better.

 

[NatF]

I don't share your opinion and the 5th set is the most important set, the match was also more significant than the two matches your mention. That's why I consider it to be better.

It was more significant sure. As far as quality goes you're just plain wrong unless talking about the fifth set.

The live commentary from sources such as the Guardian and Telegraph, agrees with me...

Read some of it yourself;

12.58 Djokovic 3-5 Nadal*

Oof, Djokovic making this too easy now for Nadal. Misjudges a return, hitting it too long, and Nadal is 30-0 quickly. Then Djokovic merely sticks a disconsolate racket out at a first serve. Not like him at all. Nadal follows his serve in to clean up another love service game.


12.54 *Djokovic 3-4 Nadal

Djokovic certainly looking a bit shaken after that ankle-ouch issue. Backhand not quite firing for him, and there's a more of a spring in Nadal's step. Break point now for Nadal, after his second unforced error in a row, putting a routine backhand out wide. Break point's saved as Nadal can only gingerly scoop a meek and misguided return back over from a big Djokovic first serve. But wow, there's a breathtaking passing backhand as Nadal anticipates Djokovic coming in behind his serve. Another break point, which Djok saves again. Novak really being tested now, another break point after a well-judged Nadal backhand. Fault from Djokovic's first serve, then Djokovic puts one too long! Out, Nadal breaks.

Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 2-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Djokovic moves up 30-0 but he's still so wild; one forehand whizzes miles wide. He needs to calm down. From 30-0, it's soon 30-all. Two missed forehands from Nadal allow Djokovic to hold though. "Gnarledal knows he can't afford a five-setter so he's hoping to snatch the match and mug the joker before those down-the-line backhands start fizzing in," says Justin Kaufmann.

13.20 *Djokovic 2-1 4-6 Nadal

It's not a classic., this. Djokovic starts the game impressively but misjudges another forehand, putting it out, then faulting on first serve and returning into the net after a disappointing second. 30-30. Couple of missed forehands from Nadal let Djokovic off the hook.

13.30 *Djokovic 2-3 4-6 Nadal

Djokovic ends an enjoyable rally with a well-hit double-handed backhand. 30-0 up, but there's that lack of killer instinct again, another unforced error, hitting into the net with plenty of empty court to aim for. Nadal brings it back to 30-30, then excellent defensive play puts Djokovic onto the backfoot and once again he puts one into the net for break point for Nadal... He's done it! Nadal racing forward to get onto a drop shot, Djokovic leaving too much room for a passing forehand.Nadal breaks again.

13.40 Djokovic 3-3 4-6 Nadal*

Big ace from Nadal to begin this game. He's looking quite keen to get this wrapped up as quickly as possible now, and I'm not seeing much from Djokovic to suggest he's going to be stopped. Inevitably, Djokovic digs out a sublime backhand which Nadal can't quite get back over to make it 15-15. Nadal's next serve appears to take Djokovic by surprise, and his return presents an easy winnder for the Spaniard, but there's another double-handed backhand to bring it back to 30 each. Djokovic really rallying now, break point for him after another sterling rally. Nadal fights back, twice... Back to deuce. But then Djokovicbreaks backafter a Nadal error! Much, much better from the Serb.

Second set: Djokovic* 4-6, 2-3 Nadal (*denotes server): There have been too many errors from Djokovic to make this a classic but every so often we're given a glimpse of what these two can do to each other at their best. At 15-0, they ram groundstrokes back at each other, Djokovic sends a two-handed backhand into the corner and a Nadal forehand down the line drops just wide. Great stuff. But it doesn't last. A 22nd unforced error from Djokovic makes it 30-all and Nadal's preposterous defence then forces another mistake from Djokovic. There's the break point. This could be the match right here. The Roland Garros crowd knows it too. There's a ripple. And then an eruption as Djokovic tries the drop-shot, only for Nadal to read it, reach it and punish him.

14.32 Djokovic 1-6 6-3 4-6 Nadal*

I'm sticking with the late-set performance upturn theory re: Novak. He's doing some grunting now, which has been absent for a while. It doesn't stop Nadal from moving into a 30-0 lead, then Djokovic gets a smash wrong putting it into the net in exactly the same way that I do every time I attempt a smash... Nadal gets a point penalty for a time violation, so it's 40-15, but the third set is Nadal's in routine fashion.

14.29 *Djokovic 1-5 6-3 4-6 Nadal

Nadal playing along as Djokovic pretends to care about this set. To be fair to the Serb he wins the first point, but he's operating at approx 30% pace for the remainder and Nadal quickly brings about two set points. Djokovic saves the first one... And the second! Excellent forehand which Nadal can only dink back into the net. Advantage to Djokovic as Nadal hits a forehand out. Then Djokovic wins the game. Mainly, I think, because he wants to go into the fourth set with some semblance of momentum.

14.22 Djokovic 0-5 6-3 4-6 Nadal*

I'm told Djokovic went off the court at 0-3. Coincidentally, I also went for a comfort break. ITV's commentators seem to think that Djokovic is carrying a minor injury, but he was, apparently, back quickly. As was I. This game's another stroll for Nadal. Djokovic has given up on this set, didn't even move for the last point.

14.19 *Djokovic 0-4 6-3 4-6 Nadal

Wor Novak is looking exhausted. No matter, he picks out an un-returnable forehand after making a mess of first serve. But Nadal's quick to punish him after that, sending him darting right then smashing it into the exposed left to make it 15-15. Strong suggestion that Djokovic is writing this set off now, only offering a meek return into the net off a Nadal drop shot. Two break points for Nadal, he only needs one. Nadal breaks to go 4-0 up.

14.12 Djokovic 0-3 6-3 4-6 Nadal*

Djokovic losing his way a bit again now after finding some of his best form in that second set. Nadal has very little trouble holding serve to love.

Third set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 0-5 Nadal* (*denotes server): Djokovic seems to be suffering from some sort of injury. He's barely moving now. It's making for painful viewing. "Are we in any danger of seeing Quitting on his Stool Djokovic back today for the first time in years?" says Adam Hirst. "He never liked to lose deservedly."

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 2-2 Nadal* (*denotes server): It's very subdued in the stands at Roland Garros. Everyone's waiting for this to take off again. Djokovic has improved but not by the requisite amount it will take to turn this match back in his favour. He squawks when he hits a backhand wide.

Fourth set: Djokovic* 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 2-1 Nadal (*denotes server): Mark Petchey is the most excitable commentator of all time. Even more than Jonathan Pearce in his Capital Gold days. Every good rally is the greatest of all time and, as a reaction against this, I am obliged to refer to a drop-shot duel between Djokovic and Nadal, won by Djokovic, as nothing special (it was pretty special). "I too would like to get published," says Nat Guillou. "I find you extremely attractive in that blue shirt." PHWOAR!

Fourth set: Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love. This is a little bit boring at the moment."Finally someone mentioned that blue shirt," says Toby Cohen. "How the hell was Djokovic meant to be holding things together, with all this blue-shirted commentary going on? Do you think he doesn't know? In Cannes they might think blue is the warmest colour, at Roland Garros it's just the colour of people who don't really understand." What do you mean "that blue shirt"?

 

[InsideOut900]

Now that the season is done and dusted and especially after yesterday's match I felt like bumping this one.
Added a new poll option.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

It was more significant sure. As far as quality goes you're just plain wrong unless talking about the fifth set.

The live commentary from sources such as the Guardian and Telegraph, agrees with me...

Read some of it yourself;

Quality was rubbish sans 5th, but the stakes and the quality of the 5th are seared in my mind. So I don't know. Depends what you mean by "best". To me that was more entertaining , but the AO clash with Wawa was higher quality.

 

[ruerooo]

What are your best matches of those years?

Rafa vs Coria Rome and Rafa vs Djokovic RG would be my pick.

Shame Rafa and DelPo's IW final in 2013 was only three sets. Some of the best tennis.

 

[ruerooo]

Wow, my memory is starting to fail me.....
Fully agree about 05, but still will stand by my pick for 13, albeit for that 5th set alone

Rafa & Ivan Ljubicic in Madrid 2005 when it was still hardcourt. Rafa won!

And in another thread I posted the Monte Carlo final against Guillermo Coria.

Then there was 2010 when they called him Mr. April because he didn't lose a single match that whole month ...

 

[NatF]

Quality was rubbish sans 5th, but the stakes and the quality of the 5th are seared in my mind. So I don't know. Depends what you mean by "best". To me that was more entertaining , but the AO clash with Wawa was higher quality.

I agree with this, though rubbish sans the 5th might be a little harsh even for me

Yes there are different elements to a match, the 2008 Wimbledon final was high quality of course but what really elevates it is the drama. Some matches might be better when live but once the drama has worn off the quality of other matches shine through. I would rather re-watch the AO 4R than the FO SF.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

not sure which one is 'the best' but delpo won 2 very important ones this year !

 

[Red Rick]

Djokovic Federer Aussie Open 2016, and it's not even freaking anywhere close tennis wise

Excitement wise, it has to be the Olympic final or the Delpo-Cilic match

 

[uliks]

Quality wise Djok-Fed AO SF. Drama wise Nadal-Delpo in Rio and Murray-Delpo DC...

 

[Chanwan]

Djokovic Federer Aussie Open 2016, and it's not even freaking anywhere close tennis wise

Excitement wise, it has to be the Olympic final or the Delpo-Cilic match

only one of these went to a 5th, which is what the OP meant as far as I got it.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I agree with this, though rubbish sans the 5th might be a little harsh even for me

Yes there are different elements to a match, the 2008 Wimbledon final was high quality of course but what really elevates it is the drama. Some matches might be better when live but once the drama has worn off the quality of other matches shine through. I would rather re-watch the AO 4R than the FO SF.

Yeah, that's fair. I think the RG 13 SF was a better watch live when the outcome was unknown, but in retrospect you could argue AO 4R was higher quality, therefore a better watch.

I think Wimbledon 14 final was quite high quality (no I'm not claiming it was Fed's grass peak ) and also a compelling watch.

 

[NatF]

Yeah, that's fair. I think the RG 13 SF was a better watch live when the outcome was unknown, but in retrospect you could argue AO 4R was higher quality, therefore a better watch.

I think Wimbledon 14 final was quite high quality (no I'm not claiming it was Fed's grass peak ) and also a compelling watch.

Yeah the Wimbledon 2014 final was a good match. I do think Federer was missing something off the ground that day but his net play and serve were great. He really upped his game to steal the 4th as well when Djokovic got tight.

 

[Bender]

Seems like Rafa is still producing the best matches of the year, just not winning them anymore

I don't know why I find this post so funny.