Federer RG 2005/RG 2006/RG 2007

[Devin]

Eh, just assume RG 2011 is better than them all, although I still maintain the notion that another version of Federer would do better on these conditions and/or 2011 Federer would do worse... but...

RG 2005 Federer vs. RG 2006 Federer vs. RG 2007 Federer, which one is best?

2005 probably had the most penetrating forehand but he was more inconsistent. I would rate it higher if he took 2005 Nadal to five. Instead, he got the break and started spraying errors.

2006 although he was more inconsistent in the earlier rounds, his clay game when it was working was arguably the best. The forehand probably had the most overall damage against Rafa, but he sliced his backhand too much and made too many errors off of that side. He had the chance to make the match go to the distance, but couldn't quite clear the hurdle.

2007 the backhand was pretty damn good, but his forehand was a liability in the final. Additionally, I think Davydenko had him on the ropes although it was a straight set victory. Despite the 1/17 BP conversion, I think this match goes to Nadal in 4 anyway. He was playing very well, close to 2008 level IMO.

I have it as 2007 >= 2006 > 2005, because 2007 Federer's forehand and 2006 Federer's backhand would rise to the occasion a lot more against any other good clay court player. With 2005 Federer, I wouldn't count on him against another top tier clay player, not the case with 2006 and 2007.

 

[KINGROGER]

2005>2006>>>>>2007

2006 he bottled it after 1 set. Didn’t bring that Rome form.
2007 FH was mostly poor and BH inconsistent (too many mid court weak topspin BH not enough deep cc slice or short DTL slice)
2005 I prefer because he was still trying to ball bash vs Nadal on clay. This tactic on a better day could’ve took it to 5 then who know what happens there. He went back to ball bashing in 2011 and had one of his best RG performances.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

2005 I prefer because he was still trying to ball bash vs Nadal on clay. This tactic on a better day could’ve took it to 5 then who know what happens there. He went back to ball bashing in 2011 and had one of his best RG performances.

Please....
Fed is no ballbasher

 

[InsideOut900]

2006 Fed was pretty flawless the whole clay season, not just RG.

However, his performance in the RG final was similar to USO 2013 final from Novak.

So it's down to how important the Nadal match is relative to his general level.

 

[Wander]

I vote 2009.

 

[Devin]

2006 Fed was pretty flawless the whole clay season, not just RG.

However, his performance in the RG final was similar to USO 2013 final from Novak.

So it's down to how important the Nadal match is relative to his general level.

He was better in Monte Carlo and the Rome final IMHO. Nalbandian was up a set and a break in the SF of RG 2006. He raised his level for the final and had chances in the third and fourth sets. The fourth set, he got it to a tiebreak, and the third set, he got a couple of break points IIRC. 4R and QF were good in 2006 on the top of my head.

2007 Federer was more unlucky as he ran into a version of Nadal that was almost on 2008 level, but his backhand held up better. Unfortunately, his forehand made more errors compared to 2006.

 

[metsman]

06 Berdych match is the best match he played in any of the years. Even though 06 had some low points, overall I would still favor it. Then 05, then 07, then 09, then 11, then 08.

 

[tennis_pro]

2007 for me, if Fed played the big points well he'd actually have a decent chance to win. Too many wasted opportunities.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

‘eff Fred for dropping clay.

He was the most fun to watch on it.

 

[Devin]

06 Berdych match is the best match he played in any of the years. Even though 06 had some low points, overall I would still favor it. Then 05, then 07, then 09, then 11, then 08.

Need to look at that one again. Though I'd honestly agree with you that 2011 Federer would do worse under the normal conditions and/or peak Federer does better under the 2011 conditions.

I think 2007 Federer beats 2011 Djokovic in 4 mainly based on matchup and the idea that Federer's forehand would be more on point. Backhand already held up against Nadal. 2006 Federer wins in 4 or 5 depending on his level.

2008 in the conversation though. Fedr was doing Roddick-like net approaches

@abmk what do you think?

 

[Devin]

2007 for me, if Fed played the big points well he'd actually have a decent chance to win. Too many wasted opportunities.

I'd disagree. He faced a better version of Nadal compared to 2005 and 2006. Nadal outplayed Federer those last two sets, playing close to 2008 level. I don't think Federer did much wrong there IMO. Nadal had the game to raise his level when he needed to that year. Assuming Federer is able to convert break points, one of those sets goes to a tiebreak, and that's it.

 

[aman92]

2006 without a doubt. Played his greatest ever match on clay in Rome 2006 and played a flawless first set against Nadal in the final. Never got close to beating Rafa at RG any other time

 

[NEW_BORN]

2005FO as a whole was impressive from Federer, didn't lose a set prior to the SF, handled Moya easily in straights.
Against Nadal he didn't have any mental scarring, but clay game-wise he wasn't good enough, and his stamina was suspect.

2006FO as a whole was not too impressive from Federer in the early rds, lost set to Massu and really struggled against Nalbandian.
Against Nadal he had the game, was physically at his peak, but mental scar tissues had started to form, restricting his play as the match wore on.

2007FO as a whole was again very impressive from Federer prior to the final, only 1 blip against Robredo in the Qfs.
He had won 41 out of 42 sets played at the slam level dating back to the final of the 06USO.
Against Nadal he had the game, was physically in close to peak condition, mentally stronger having ended Nadal's streak in Hamburg, but the problem was his game plan, he tried to rally from the baseline with the backhand and not be aggressive enough on the many bp opportunities he created.

All in all, his game was best during 2007FO, then 2005FO and lastly 2006FO (even though 2006 clay season as a whole trumps the other 2).

 

[abmk]

@Devin :

not too big a difference tbh.

I'll go with 2007 >~2006 > 2005.