I stated this on another thread, but I think this topic deserves its own thread. And that is this:
Sampras has beaten better credentialled clay courters on European clay than Federer. These are:
Bruguera, 2 time FO winner
Courier, 2 time FO winner
Muster, FO champion
Kafelnikov, FO champion
Brugs, Courier and Muster all happened at RG while Kafelnikov happened at the DC final in front of a hostile crowd in Russia.
Now I know he never won the FO himself and I know his record at the FO does not compare to Federer's FO record in terms of finals played and trophies won, but come on, how can there be any debate that Sampras beat better clay courters than Federer? We're talking 6 FO champions. Federer beat Moya once and I'll even throw in Soderling. At this stage I don't rate Djok on clay. But other than that, Federer's FO record pretty much consists of wins against clay court nobodies and several thrashings at the hands of Nadal.
So I want to dispel the myth once and for all that Sampras was a complete and total dud on clay. Complete duds on clay do not beat the likes of Courier, Brugs, Muster and Kafelnikov, they simply do not. Complete clay court duds also do not win the Italian Open.
As I said, I know Fed has a FO trophy and Sampras does not, but can you please stick to the topic. Who has Federer beaten on clay that is more impressive than who Sampras has beaten on clay?
Sampras has beaten better credentialled clay courters on European clay than Federer. These are:
Bruguera, 2 time FO winner
Courier, 2 time FO winner
Muster, FO champion
Kafelnikov, FO champion
Brugs, Courier and Muster all happened at RG while Kafelnikov happened at the DC final in front of a hostile crowd in Russia.
Now I know he never won the FO himself and I know his record at the FO does not compare to Federer's FO record in terms of finals played and trophies won, but come on, how can there be any debate that Sampras beat better clay courters than Federer? We're talking 6 FO champions. Federer beat Moya once and I'll even throw in Soderling. At this stage I don't rate Djok on clay. But other than that, Federer's FO record pretty much consists of wins against clay court nobodies and several thrashings at the hands of Nadal.
So I want to dispel the myth once and for all that Sampras was a complete and total dud on clay. Complete duds on clay do not beat the likes of Courier, Brugs, Muster and Kafelnikov, they simply do not. Complete clay court duds also do not win the Italian Open.
As I said, I know Fed has a FO trophy and Sampras does not, but can you please stick to the topic. Who has Federer beaten on clay that is more impressive than who Sampras has beaten on clay?