Peak Safin vs Peak Del Potro

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
Who wins in HC BO5? What is the key aspect of the matchup?

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Juan_Mart%C3%ADn_del_Potro_at_the_2009_US_Open_03.jpg
 

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
This would be a brilliant match. I think Safin might take it, with his ability to work the court with his backhand being the key weapon. Safin could hurt Del Potro with the backhand in ways that Federer couldn't.

It's one of my favorite what-if matches.
 

daggerman

Hall of Fame
The absolute best level Safin can produce probably beats the absolute best level Delpo can produce.

The level peak Delpo is most likely to produce probably beats the level peak Safin is most likely to produce.
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
This would be a brilliant match. I think Safin might take it, with his ability to work the court with his backhand being the key weapon. Safin could hurt Del Potro with the backhand in ways that Federer couldn't.
Yep, I see this being key too. Have to wonder if DelPo could hold up in 5 sets. Safin has a much better record in 5 setters.
 
D

Deleted member 22147

Guest
Safin, at his worst and in his last match, almost beat peak del Potro.

Safin is way better, but not from the forehand. del Potro's forehand is 10x better than Safin's, but aside from that Safin comes out on top.
 

AnOctorokForDinner

Talk Tennis Guru
Safin obviously. Delpo has the rocket forehand, but Safin has everything else, not much superior but consistently peaker in every other aspect of the game really. Forehand alone won't break it all down.
 

Druss

Hall of Fame
A fan of both, but have to give it to Safin. All that Delpo has better than Safin is the FH and mentality.
 

skaj

Legend
Safin, at his worst and in his last match, almost beat peak del Potro.

Safin is way better, but not from the forehand. del Potro's forehand is 10x better than Safin's, but aside from that Safin comes out on top.

I know that Del Potro has one of the best forehands ever, some say the best, but 10X is a bit exaggerated. Safin can hit devastating winners off that side.
 
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NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Remember , USO 2000 F is probably a more scary performance against top tier GOAT than anything.

Safin takes it.

Yes it was but it was his only performance like that. Del Potro was lethal in 2009 and had some other big scapls after that. He ran through his draw in 2018 as well into final, only losing one set. I would say for a single performance Safin takes it but on the other hand, Del Potro went through Fedal back to back, plus his forehand was unbelievable so I lean him at the USO.
 

AnOctorokForDinner

Talk Tennis Guru
Yes it was but it was his only performance like that. Del Potro was lethal in 2009 and had some other big scapls after that. He ran through his draw in 2018 as well into final, only losing one set. I would say for a single performance Safin takes it but on the other hand, Del Potro went through Fedal back to back, plus his forehand was unbelievable so I lean him at the USO.

His draw was mega weak given Nadal's injury.
 

President

Legend
I think it would be close, peak Del Potro's forehand is so damn lethal that it's scary. Safin has the edge on serve, backhand, volleys, movement though.
 

skaj

Legend
I think it would be close, peak Del Potro's forehand is so damn lethal that it's scary. Safin has the edge on serve, backhand, volleys, movement though.

I wouldn't say the edge for the backhand and volleys, Safin is clearly better there. Plus his forehand, even though not as great as Del Potro's, is a weapon.
 

Pheasant

Legend
If we are looking at peak performance, then it’s Safin by a mile.

Safin’s return of serve is the huge difference here. This is where Safin pulls ahead.
 

RelentlessAttack

Hall of Fame
Can’t underrate the role of mentality here. Delpo is definitely more consistently focused mentally, by a mile, and is better at fighting when down in the score. Safin in his rare focused moments is the more complete player than 2009 Delpo but we have to acknowledge that it’s rare.
 

Backspin1183

Talk Tennis Guru
serve: even
return: Safin
forehand: Del Potro
backhand: Safin
forehand+backhand: Safin
net: Safin
mobility: Safin
variety/creativity: Safin
mentality: Del Potro

overall - Safin

About right. Safin is more versatile and can hurt Delpo with his variety. Del Potro in 5 sets would be my call. 76 57 64 36 64
 
Del Potro on clay or grass maybe. Well clay is a toss up, Del Potro on grass for sure. Safin on hard courts for sure, Del Potro at his best is a beast but Safin at his best is still a bigger beast. Carpet does not exist anymore but carpet or indoors Safin too.

Safin has more played more great clay tennis than Del Potro, but not sure if Safin ever played better than Del Potro did at the 2009 French or not. Safin had a couple good grass tournaments but never played tennis on grass that was amazingly good period. Neither did Del Potro maybe either, but Del Potro of Wimbledon 2013 or even Olympic semis 2012 was much better than anything Safin ever did.
 
Safin, at his worst and in his last match, almost beat peak del Potro.

Safin is way better, but not from the forehand. del Potro's forehand is 10x better than Safin's, but aside from that Safin comes out on top.

Safin has a great forehand at his best. I agree Del Potro at his best has a more devastating forehand, but 10x is way overstating IMO.

Actually would not be surprised if well playing prime Safin has a higher average forehand speed, but Del Potro's top speed forehands are definitely harder and his forehand is probably heavier too.
 

skaj

Legend
Del Potro on clay or grass maybe. Well clay is a toss up, Del Potro on grass for sure. Safin on hard courts for sure, Del Potro at his best is a beast but Safin at his best is still a bigger beast. Carpet does not exist anymore but carpet or indoors Safin too.

Safin has more played more great clay tennis than Del Potro, but not sure if Safin ever played better than Del Potro did at the 2009 French or not. Safin had a couple good grass tournaments but never played tennis on grass that was amazingly good period. Neither did Del Potro maybe either, but Del Potro of Wimbledon 2013 or even Olympic semis 2012 was much better than anything Safin ever did.

Strange that he didn't do better on grass, he had a game for it - big serve, devastating groundstrokes, good net game. I guess he just hated the surface.
 

lelopez

Semi-Pro
Would be an awesome match to watch. Peak for Peak would have to give the edge to Safin, but there would be some ball punishment for sure.
 

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
Interestingly both were roughly the same age at the time, a tad under 21. 2009 (Delpo) was the last time we witnessed a 20 or 21 year old play at that level (top tier level).

Well, to be honest, Zverev's level in the 2018 WTF edition was quite high in the last two rounds (against Federer and Djokovic, respectively).
 

King No1e

G.O.A.T.
Safin has a bigger serve. He can also dictate play off both wings and in the forecourt, while Del Potro doesn't have a great BH. He's all-round a better player. Safin would win unless he mentally collapses.
 

skypadq

Hall of Fame
safin takes close four sets
2000 uso final safin was maybe greatest hard court slam final perfomence ever seen
 
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