Most GS Champions / #1 Defeated en Route to a GS Title?

[VAPORHEAD]

Checked out the draw of the 2007 French Open and noticed that Rafa defeated Del Potro, Hewitt, Moya, Djokovic, and Federer to win the title. Obviously Del Potro, Djokovic had not won a slam yet, but Rafa beat 3 Grand Slam champions and former #1s on way to the title and 5 eventual Grand Slam Champions / 4 career #1s to win. What is the most ever?

Rd. 1: Nadal def. Del Potro 7-5 6-3 6-2 | 1 Grand Slam / ATP #3
Rd. 4: Nadal def. Hewitt 6-3 6-1 7-6 | 2 Grand Slams / ATP #1
QF: Nadal def. Moya 6-4 6-3 6-0 | 1 Grand Slam / ATP #1
SF: Nadal def. Djokovic 7-5 6-4 6-2 | 24 Grand Slams / ATP #1
F: Nadal def. Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 | 20 Grand Slams / ATP #1

 

[Djokodal Fan]

he beat 3 slam champions which is commendable. Delpo and Djok never won a slam by 2007. let us not exaggerate.

 

[VAPORHEAD]

Obviously Del Potro, Djokovic had not won a slam yet

 

[Razer]

Serena Williams defeated 5 Grand Slam Champions in the 1999 US Open

4 of those 5 ladies have won the US Open in their careers, in Nadal's only 3 of those 5 guys have won the french open.

 

[nolefam_2024]

What a rubbish comparison. Bull beating kid Delpo ?

 

[Lauren_Girl']

This is correct but it should be put into perspective. Delpotro was still a rookie in 2007, how old was he, 18? Moya was already half retired. And Hewitt was a non-factor after 2005, plus very average on clay (never won more than ATP250).
Even slamless Djokovic wasn't really a threat on clay at the time, though I have to say, these 2 RG semifinals (2007 and 2008) are very underrated matches.

His 2011 run was more impressive, with Söderling (2 times finalist), Murray and Federer.

 

[VAPORHEAD]

What a rubbish comparison. Bull beating kid Delpo ?

Not asking what the most impressive slam win ever is, but who defeated the most champions to a title

 

[Mazz Retic]

And Hewitt was a non-factor after 2005, plus very average on clay (never won more than ATP250).

I wouldn’t call Hewitt average on clay. Against the field definitely above average having made 2 QFs at RG. True he wasn’t at his best in 2007 though his last competitive year, aside from runs at the AO, against the top players imo was 2009.