Federer's most impressive WTF/Master's Cup

[Pheasant]

Here's the recap of the 5 candidates:

I’ll include notable wins, which either includes an absolute massacre of a good player, or a win over an ATG

2003:
Matches: 5-0
Sets: 11-1, .917
Games: 74-38, .661
Notable wins: 6-3, 6-1 over Ferrero, 6-3, 6-0 over Nalbandian, 7-6, 6-2 over Roddick, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 over Agassi

2004:
Matches: 5-0
Sets: 10-1, .909
Games: 65-40, .619
Notable wins: 6-3, 6-4 over Hewitt, 6-3, 6-2 over Hewitt.

2006
Matches: 5-0
Sets: 11-2, .846
Games: 76-50, .603
Notable wins: 6-4, 7-5 over Nadal, 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 over Blake

2010
Matches: 5-0
Sets: 10-1, .909
Games: 64-35, .646
Big wins: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 over Nadal, 6-1, 6-4 over Djokovic

2011
Matches: 5-0
Sets: 10-3, .769
Games: 72-46, .610
Big wins: 6-3, 6-0 over Nadal

 

[Towny]

Most impressive or highest level?

In terms of highest level, 2007 would be excluded due to the loss against Gonzalez (although his match against Nadal was scary good). Lost several sets in 2011, so that's excluded. 2003 and 2006 both contained matches in which Federer very nearly lost (Agassi 03, Roddick 06). 2004 and 2010 were both very clean from Federer. 2003 possibly takes it overall, given he obliterated everyone (including Agassi in the final) outside of his RR match against Agassi.

In terms of most impressive, 2010 might just be my pick. Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Ferrer and Soderling is no easy draw. 2003 of course had Ferrero, Nalbandian, Roddick and Agassi twice, so also a tough draw.

In terms of 'best', I guess I'd say 2003

 

[Third Serve]

Most impressive or highest level?

In terms of highest level, 2007 would be excluded due to the loss against Gonzalez (although his match against Nadal was scary good). Lost several sets in 2011, so that's excluded. 2003 and 2006 both contained matches in which Federer very nearly lost (Agassi 03, Roddick 06). 2004 and 2010 were both very clean from Federer. 2003 possibly takes it overall, given he obliterated everyone (including Agassi in the final) outside of his RR match against Agassi.

In terms of most impressive, 2010 might just be my pick. Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Ferrer and Soderling is no easy draw. 2003 of course had Ferrero, Nalbandian, Roddick and Agassi twice, so also a tough draw.

In terms of 'best', I guess I'd say 2003

To be fair, that 2003 RR was an excellent match. Fed had to bring a very high level to take it.

 

[JoelSandwich]

2003 and 2004 were extremely good throughout the whole tournament in both years I’d go with one of those overall
2006 and 2007 were a little more vulnerable but still really good
2011 was really really good against Nadal but not really peak level otherwise
2010 I haven’t seen a lot of but the names he beat are notable at least

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

All of them, only 2011 is below since Fred struggled somewhat in every match except when he needed to flatten the doll of course. The rest were crazy awesome throughout the entire tournament, 1 RR match was close except in 2010 (dropped a set and faced 9 BP vs Moya 04, saved MP vs Agassi in 03, Roddick in 06, lost 7-5 in the 3rd to Gonzalez in 07) but all those were played at a high level and Fedr always made sure to peak in SF&F.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

2016

 

[Sport]

Those claiming "2003 was the better level" fail to mention that the 2003 ATP finals had the weaker field by far. So it is deceiving. It is like concluding that 2017 Nadal was at his best on HC just because he won the US Open 2017 losing only one set from the QF onwards.

In 2003 the ATP finals field was weaker than in 2006 and 2007 (Federer defeated Nadal both years) and especially 2010 (Federer beat both Nadal and Djokovic):

I would pick 2006, 2007 and 2010 Federer over 2003 Federer's run in the ATP finals. Both by the rivals and level of play.

 

[NatF]

Probably 2004 for me, but they were all very good.

 

[KINGROGER]

2010 most impressive due to beating peak Nadal on a slower court.

2003 clearly the best for pure level of tennis, probably Fed’s best ever HC form.

 

[metsman]

Definitely between 2003 and 2004. Would probably lean 2004 although 2003 F was the single best performance.

 

[mike danny]

I think 2010 was actually his best WTF. Only dropped 1 set. No dropped sets in the RR as well and it has been the only time this has happened. And at 29 too. At the same age, Novak was getting destroyed by Murray.

 

[Sport]

I think 2010 was actually his best WTF. Only dropped 1 set. No dropped sets in the RR as well and it has been the only time this has happened. And at 29 too. At the same age, Novak was getting destroyed by Murray.

22 years old Nadal lost to Murray, 25 years old Federer also lost in straight sets to Murray. Losing to Murray is normal, he was a great and talented player. I do not undertand what was your point that "at age 29 Djokovic was losing to Murray".

 

[Lew II]

2014 and 2015

 

[ForehandRF]

2014 and 2015

Right, because he withdrawed from the final in 2014 and lost to Djokovic in the 2015 final.I guess Djokovic's most impressive WTF were in 2016 & 2018.

 

[mike danny]

22 years old Nadal lost to Murray, 25 years old Federer also lost in straight sets to Murray. Losing to Murray is normal, he was a great and talented player. I do not undertand what was your point that "at age 29 Djokovic was losing to Murray".

Not losing. Getting destroyed. I am trying to say that winning the WTF at 29 with only a set lost and no sets dropped in the RR is no mean feat.

 

[Lew II]

 

[Standaa]

highest level in a single match would be 06 F against Blake

 

[Pheasant]

I voted for 2003. Nalbandian was Federer's nemesis for a few years. Federer had to be in peak form during his peak to take out Nalbandian. In that 2003 Master's Cup, Federer destroyed Nalbandian 6-3, 6-0. He also beat Peak Roddick in straights, then completely embarrassed Agassi in straight sets by allowing Andre only 7 games over 3 sets, which includes a bagel in the 2nd set. Fed lost one set for the whole tourney and it was a tiebreaker.

 

[Pheasant]

As far as Fed's best Master's Cup performance, I'd go with the 2003 title match. However, that match has a lot of competition. Federer has a lot of great matches in his tourney over the years.

 

[NatF]

I voted for 2003. Nalbandian was Federer's nemesis for a few years. Federer had to be in peak form during his peak to take out Nalbandian. In that 2003 Master's Cup, Federer destroyed Nalbandian 6-3, 6-0. He also beat Peak Roddick in straights, then completely embarrassed Agassi in straight sets by allowing Andre only 7 games over 3 sets, which includes a bagel in the 2nd set. Fed lost one set for the whole tourney and it was a tiebreaker.

I think Nalbandian was pretty bad in that match tbh. I think his wins over Hewitt in the RR/F and over Safin were more impressive. The Agassi match maybe the single most impressive though.

 

[Spencer Gore]

It has to be one of the tournaments during Federer's peak years. Goodness know how he managed to vanquish such legendary monsters as Blake, Ferrero and Nalbandian -but vanquish them peak-Roger did. It's just a shame the level of competition dipped so badly after that.

 

[Third Serve]

I think Nalbandian was pretty bad in that match tbh. I think his wins over Hewitt in the RR/F and over Safin were more impressive. The Agassi match maybe the single most impressive though.

Weren’t some of those in 2004 tho? I thought we were talking about 2003.

 

[Pheasant]

I think Nalbandian was pretty bad in that match tbh. I think his wins over Hewitt in the RR/F and over Safin were more impressive. The Agassi match maybe the single most impressive though.

Good call. Nalbandian was hitting a lot of unforced errors during that match vs Federer. Now granted, Fed was slugging him off of the court, which is probably why Nalby went for more on his shots as the match progressed. But to your point, Nalby had an off day.

 

[NatF]

Weren’t some of those in 2004 tho? I thought we were talking about 2003.

Sorry wasn't clear, those Hewitt wins and Safin win were in 04 - I'm saying that 2004 was maybe the better tournament from him.

 

[Pheasant]

Sorry wasn't clear, those Hewitt wins and Safin win were in 04 - I'm saying that 2004 was maybe the better tournament from him.

Your point regarding Hewitt is an interesting one. Federer in that 2004 Masters Cup wasn't broken once in two matches against Hewitt. Hewitt was incredible at breaking the best servers. As a case in point, Hewitt broke Sampras in every single match against him, including twice in the the New Haven match when Lleyton was only 17 years old(Hewitt was ranked #151 in the world while Sampras was #2). Hewitt played Sampras 9 times, yet broke his serve an amazing 27 times.

 

[Mainad]

I voted for 2003. It was Federer's break out year, winning his 1st Slam (Wimbledon) and he capped it off with a fine win over Agassi at the year end finals. It set him on the road to domination in the following season.

Little factoid: in his last WTF win in 2011 he beat Tsonga in the final, the same opponent he had beaten the week before in the final of the Paris Masters.

 

[ChrisRF]

Little factoid: in his last WTF win in 2011 he beat Tsonga in the final, the same opponent he had beaten the week before in the final of the Paris Masters.

And in the first RR match as well. If I remember correctly they played on 3 consecutive Sundays.