Does Federer play his best tennis against Novak?

[Ralph]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YmKdXd1WXA

The above is a highlight reel including some shots I'd not seen before, as well as the usual culprits... My favourite is no.14 (4m52s), against Agassi. The retrieval in defense is, IMO, one of the best shots I've seen. To hit such a winner, is, well...ludicrous. To be able to have the vision of shot in such a short space of time whilst racing back...

However, what this collection made me realise is how many highlight reel shots of Federer seem to be of him playing Novak. Even disregarding this reel, some of Federer's best tennis (even when he has lost) has been against Novak, more so than against Nadal and Murray. Some of their best have been at the US Open, whilst the RG semi final a few years back was also a great match...

Do you agree? If so/not, why?

 

[roundiesee]

Yes, agreed; remember Roger bageled Novak in Cincy; I think Novak just brings out the best in him, like Agassi used to for Pete.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Until match point...

 

[Cup8489]

Until match point...

Federer leads the h2h. If he didn't play well on match point against Novak, that wouldn't be true.

But yes, I think they bring out the best in each other. It's never a bad match, ever. Except maybe 2012 FO, but that was just because it was over in straights. Other than that, I don't think I've ever found a single match of theirs boring, even that match as well.

Probably my favorite was the 2008 USO match. Just a lot of drama from Fed chasing his only major.. Djokovic having just gotten into it with the crowd the previous match.. etc.

 

[monfed]

Federer leads the h2h. If he didn't play well on match point against Novak, that wouldn't be true.

But yes, I think they bring out the best in each other. It's never a bad match, ever. Except maybe 2012 FO, but that was just because it was over in straights. Other than that, I don't think I've ever found a single match of theirs boring, even that match as well.

Probably my favorite was the 2008 USO match. Just a lot of drama from Fed chasing his only major.. Djokovic having just gotten into it with the crowd the previous match.. etc.

For me it was RG 2011. Man what a masterclass, Djokovic looked invincible uptil that point(gamewise too).

 

[Cup8489]

I'd like to see a 5 set us open final between the two this year. Would love to see fed win another uso in a fifth set tiebreak.

 

[papertank]

Yes, just like Murray and Nadal do against Fed, and how Novak does against Nadal.