Best shot to save match point

[Rock Strongo]

For me, it's Rafter's backhand lob over Ivanisevic at Wimby 2001. He just lifts it over Goran's head with such calm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU3phxHEWdU#t=5m50s

What do you think is the best shot to save a match point?

 

[niff]

A good one was Wimby 2008, Fed's BH DTL in the TB saving championship point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPjzYLEKBKw

 

[Gangsta]

^ That was most definitely one of the top saves of all time. I think Djokovic's forehands down the line in this year's US Open against Federer were pretty gritty and awesome.

 

[Feña14]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHCy5WkZzw&feature=related

Say no more

 

[TennisandMusic]

Nadal had a couple crazy ones at Madrid in 2009 against Djokovic, and he actually went on to win that match instead of losing it like the other examples listed here (aside from Djokovic, whose points were also quite awesome).

 

[LameTennisPlayer]

you should change the title to championship point....

 

[Andres]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeza9uvscI

Joachim Johansson. 135 mph 2nd serve ace, match point down

 

[LameTennisPlayer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeza9uvscI

Joachim Johansson. 135 mph 2nd serve ace, match point down

that is a gutsy effort....

 

[niff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeza9uvscI

Joachim Johansson. 135 mph 2nd serve ace, match point down

Haha, that's ace. Gutsy fool.

 

[Mortifier]

For me, it's Rafter's backhand lob over Ivanisevic at Wimby 2001. He just lifts it over Goran's head with such calm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU3phxHEWdU#t=5m50s

What do you think is the best shot to save a match point?

Almost made me misty in the eyes, the final minutes when he runs up to his camp. Such a wonderful moment for a tortured artist like Goran.

The music in the Fed-video was really good, has anyone got an idea who's made it?

 

[Legend of Borg]

How can we forget Safin's masterful lob over TMF to keep himself in the 2005 Australian Open? A classic.

2:55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpq5JNflfTk

 

[niff]

Almost made me misty in the eyes, the final minutes when he runs up to his camp. Such a wonderful moment for a tortured artist like Goran.

The music in the Fed-video was really good, has anyone got an idea who's made it?

It's from the soundtrack of the film The Fountain, composed by Clint Mansell (one of his many great soundtracks ).

 

[AM95]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHCy5WkZzw&feature=related

Say no more

this and maybe the federer shot. although i mean the fed shot had more on the line, but gasquet cramping and coming up with that..absolutely ridiculous.

 

[LameTennisPlayer]

How can we forget Safin's masterful lob over TMF to keep himself in the 2005 Australian Open? A classic.

2:55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpq5JNflfTk

that brings back memories, the highlights were awesome

 

[Seany]

How can we forget Safin's masterful lob over TMF to keep himself in the 2005 Australian Open? A classic.

2:55

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpq5JNflfTk

Holy f'ing smokes, if this was the only match people ever saw of Safin, thye would think they were watching the undisputable GOAT...Holy Mary Mother of Backhand.

 

[colonelforbin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daZcIQXdg5w

Fed goes for (and makes) a blistering forehand winner on match point down against Agassi at TMC 2003. And the winner on Fed's own mp is impressive as well.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeza9uvscI

Joachim Johansson. 135 mph 2nd serve ace, match point down

... and goran did the same in the 5th set against bailey at wimbledon 1993, before eventually winning 9-7 !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daZcIQXdg5w

Fed goes for (and makes) a blistering forehand winner on match point down against Agassi at TMC 2003. And the winner on Fed's own mp is impressive as well.

ufff... what a FH !
i think this win was a very important one in roger's career... finally beating agassi after saving match point was something !

 

[kiteboard]

Safin beat the holy crapp out of him. Even so, he had the tweener miss.

 

[TACOSRULE]

sadly I think the tweener is the only shot Fed has improved since then..he plays nowhere near the level he used to..

 

[ledwix]

sadly I think the tweener is the only shot Fed has improved since then..he plays nowhere near the level he used to..

Drop shot, too.

 

[flyinghippos101]

Nadal had a couple crazy ones at Madrid in 2009 against Djokovic, and he actually went on to win that match instead of losing it like the other examples listed here (aside from Djokovic, whose points were also quite awesome).

Why does almost every post form you have to be about how much Federer is a talentless hack while Nadal is an immortal Achilles of tennis? This thread is about epic shots to save match point regardless of the result, no need for you to pollute it with your annoying fanboyism

 

[mr_eko]

Can't believe these haven't been posted yet but here are two from Nadal:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MjTSmgaLKU

 

[Tennis360]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHCy5WkZzw&feature=related

Say no more

You beat me on this...I was about to post a link....great shot from Gasquet....and the commentary priceless.

and yes, the 135 mph 2nd serve was very gutsy...and Federer's shot

 

[Seany]

Drop shot, too.

Actually, Federer hit the greatest drop shot I've ever seen him hit in that match.

 

[flyinghippos101]

Can't believe these haven't been posted yet but here are two from Nadal:

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MjTSmgaLKU

Such grueling points, you could just feel it in every stroke they hit and the desperation and fatigue in both guys' voices, one of the best of 09' This is probably how Djok would perform had he not had conditioning problems

 

[Ledigs]

I think Djokovic had some good ones in US Open semis

 

[abmk]

Actually, Federer hit the greatest drop shot I've ever seen him hit in that match.

indeed, actually both the dropshots in that 4th set were phenomenal to say the least !

 

[meltphace 6]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zeza9uvscI

Joachim Johansson. 135 mph 2nd serve ace, match point down

Top related video: "Tennis 2nd serve spin tip" LOL

 

[aphex]

A good one was Wimby 2008, Fed's BH DTL in the TB saving championship point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPjzYLEKBKw

this...............

 

[Pioneer]

The Joachim Johansson 2nd serve ace and the Marat Safin lob would have been my picks

 

[Deleted member 22147]

The Joachim Johansson ace doesn't come close for me, I've seen Karlovic do it as well and probably many other players have done it. His serve is his best shot, he isn't being moved too far out of his comfort zone.

I'm not sure but I was on the edge of my seat during that 2005 AO SF where Safin managed to scramble to that ball and lift it over Federer, just pure instinctive play.

 

[mikeler]

Lendl's lob over Pat Cash down match point at the US Open.

 

[abmk]

The Joachim Johansson ace doesn't come close for me, I've seen Karlovic do it as well and probably many other players have done it. His serve is his best shot, he isn't being moved too far out of his comfort zone.

sure quite a few have hit second serve aces, but how many have you seen do it on a matchpoint ? that too bombing it at 130+ ?

whether or not it is the best shot down MP is debatable , but it deserves a mention for sure

 

[rajeshafrica]

I remember Vijay Amritraj of India against Martin Jaite of Argentina, Playing a very delicate drop shot of a very good return on match point (also tie point ) late in the 4th set and going on to win the match in the fifth set in a Davis cup Pre quarter final tie in 1987. India won the fifth rubber. That point sparked a golden run for India. India went on to beat Israel in the quarters and Australia in the Semis and to eventually lose to Sweden in the Finals.

Mcenroes courageous pass on borgs serve at the 1980 Wimbeldon final.

These are some memories for me.

 

[Mortifier]

It's from the soundtrack of the film The Fountain, composed by Clint Mansell (one of his many great soundtracks ).

Many thanks, you're a true sport and a scholar.

 

[spiderman123]

Many thanks, you're a true sport and a scholar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihF_aXi-Huk

He beat me to it. I am not a music scholar but love to use my "Soundhound" app on iPhone.

 

[Wilander Fan]

sadly I think the tweener is the only shot Fed has improved since then..he plays nowhere near the level he used to..

The clearest difference is how much Fed's feet are moving in the points back then. He was in a constant bounce. If you watch him now, he kind of hits the ball and stands and waits. It makes him a step slower.

 

[Deleted member 22147]

sure quite a few have hit second serve aces, but how many have you seen do it on a matchpoint ? that too bombing it at 130+ ?

whether or not it is the best shot down MP is debatable , but it deserves a mention for sure

I've seen it down several times.

This is like Federer saving match point with a forehand, not really much of a big deal considering Johansson pretty much has two first serves. Okay, he added a bit more pace to it than normal, but it's not that much of a big deal considering it's his strength.