Whilst I'm fine with your opinion that Federer would have won, I still feel Safin would have pulled through. As for your arguments, Safin came out of the gates slow at the 04 QF and was injured in that first set, an he beat the #1 and #3 prior to the final ie he proved he could beat the inform player before playing Federer.
Never said otherwise, did I ? He could've won is different from saying he'd have won.
I am talking about facts, what was made up from my original post? Going 5 sets against Agassi and beating the best AO player (along with Djokovic and Federer) is still impressive; Just because it wasn't a blow out doesn't mean Safin played crap. Some people set the standard too high for Safin; A couple of sets lost here and there don't mean anything.
actually it does, it very clearly establishes that his 04 form was lesser than his 05 form overall. As far as peaks in those tournaments go ....
You cannot tell me that a Safin who had to tank a set 6-1 and had to save set points in 2 sets that he won in 04 vs agassi ( who was slightly below his best ) was better than the safin who showed up vs top flight federer in 05
I do however, think your last point is flawed. In what way was Safin lucky Federer S&V'd on MP? Who's to say Safin would have lost if Federer stayed back? BTW Federer did absolutely nothing wrong as it was a great second serve (one that is paraded as one of the best and a great reflex volley). Safin's lob was just insane and Federer couldn't pull off the tweener - although Safin had it covered. Please don't act like Federer was a victim of injury either - especially to a Safin fan of all people :roll:. Federer was moving and playing fine, in fact I think Federer and Safin in the 4th and 5th set were playing the best tennis of their career's - the only reason I say Safin or Federer weren't at their best for the whole match was because there were at times dips in the first 2 sets, however the last 3 showcased some of the best display in shotmaking between two players simultaneously.
actually, I think the first 4 sets were of about even quality, with the 5th set quality being lower, but drama being higher.
and yes, federer did have a foot injury. Its why he took a MTO. I don't bring it up often because I don't want to pull down the match. But it is what it is.
Federer's movement was that fraction slower in the 5th.
Safin’s winners by set: 8, 5, 5, 6, 18.
Federer’s winners by set: 9, 6, 10, 11, 11.
Look at Safin’s jump in the fifth. After four sets, in fact, Federer was leading in winners by 36 to 24. In the fifth set Safin hit 14 ground stroke winners, as many as he’d hit in the previous four sets.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=186895
About the SnV on MP, I don't necessarily think federer would have won if he had stayed back, but he'd have a better chance than he did by approaching the net. That particular second serve wasn't that good and safin obviously at his best is ruthless at punishing 2nd serves.
As I've said, I think Safin would have won if he was 100% in the final. I have no problems with people disagreeing because Federer is a great player. All I conclude for sure is that with Safin not being at 100% physically and mentally before and in the final, we missed an epic match for sure.
yes, the match would've surely been better had safin been fully rested. I'd think federer would take it in 4 competitive sets like he did vs nalbandian at the AO or vs roddick in 04 W.
but that is different from saying safin would win when the evidence :
a) his AO 04 form was clearly lesser than his AO 05 form ; at his best, he barely managed to avoid losing in 4 sets in 05 vs federer.
b) his h2h vs federer overall.
show otherwise.
So, there is no point in saying federer was lucky in 04 , because its very likely he beats safin anyways.
