Roger Federer or David Nalbandian: Who's the better indoors player?

[jamesblakefan#1]

Interesting topic I was thinking of today. Federer has won several indoors titles including Bangkok (2), Basel (3), and Marseille.

But he's only won 1 MS title indoors. Part of this however can be attributed to the fact that he skipped the MS event in Madrid in 2 of his prime years (2004 & 2005) and Paris 3 of his prime years (2004-2006). This may explain why he has failed to yet reach the finals in Paris.

He has however won 2 YEC's indoors (2006 & 2007)

Now let's turn to David Nalbandian. He won 2 MS indoors titles, Madrid and Paris back to back in 2007, beating Federer and Nadal en route to both titles. Add to that the YEC he won in 2005, beating Federer in the finals, and he has a pretty hefty resume.

Federer: 1 MS title in 2 MS finals indoors, 2 YECs won indoors
Nalbandian: 2 MS titles in 4 MS finals indoors, YEC in 2005

So who's better indoors? Hard and Carpet both. How would the h2h look if they met 10 times?

I say Fed 6-4, but it's very close, IMO.

 

[tikkimonkey]

When Nalbandian is on, he's way > Federer, but I guess that goes both ways. I say Federer because his bad is better than Nalbandian's bad.

 

[DaysofGrace]

When Nalbandian is on, he's way > Federer, but I guess that goes both ways. I say Federer because his bad is better than Nalbandian's bad.

Agreed. When David was on his game at his peak he was a deadly player, just slightly better than Fed I think.. Overrall though, I think we can assume that David would not stay consistent enough over a long period of time though on that particular surface or any other surface for that matter

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

BTW, the current h2h is Federer 4-3.

 

[flying24]

On a day Nalbandian and Federer were both playing their A+ games Federer would win on any surface, even indoors. Federer is more consistent on any surface, even indoors. Thus it is Federer. Arguably Nalbandian's career shining moment was in barely beating an injured and not fully mobile Federer in the 2005 ATP Masters final. Even there Federer still managed to win their RR meeting in 3 full sets, despite being vurnerable enough that Federer lost a set to in all 3 of his RR matches in a pool devoid of superstars, even to little fading clay courter Coria. In defense of his Masters title in 2006 on an indoor court Nalbandian was destroyed in the semis by Blake, something that would never happen to Federer. OK David took Roger down in Madrid and Paris late in 2007 as well, but that was Nalbandian undoubtably playing the month of tennis of his life. Federer played pretty well and was simply outplayed by David, but to suggest it was the month of tennis of Federer's life the way it clearly was Davis's would be comical all the same. Last fall they met in a tournament final indoors and Nalbandian played very well, as well or better than Federer in his 2007 losses to "tennis of his life" Nalbandian, and Federer still convincingly won their final.

 

[VivalaVida]

Federer easily.

 

[drwood]

BTW, the current h2h is Federer 4-3.

I think Nalbandian is a bit overrated on these boards...remember that Blake
absolutely demolished him indoors at the 06 YEC. When at his best he was great (mainly b/c he owned Fed), but even then he was owned by big hitters like Roddick.

 

[federerfanatic]

I think Nalbandian is a bit overrated on these boards...remember that Blake
absolutely demolished him indoors at the 06 YEC. When at his best he was great (mainly b/c he owned Fed), but even then he was owned by big hitters like Roddick.

Roddick has lost his last 2 meetings with Nalbandian, their only 2 meetings since that 2003 U.S Open semifinal which Roddick was very close to losing in straight sets. One of them was the RR of the year end Masters in 2006 you refer to where Nalbandian would get crushed by Blake later on, yet Nalbandian waxed Roddick badly. Nalbandian is indeed very overrated but Roddick's ownership of him ended in that U.S Open meeting, and even with the limited meetings clearly has not ever been restored. Prime Nalbandian is a tough matchup for Roddick since he returns serve so well, and I dont think I need to explain that Roddick has trouble with guys that can handle his serve.

As for this poll question, Federer easily. The fact Federer matches him in # of major career indoor titles with far fewer appearances says it all. He also must get credit all his smaller indoor titles which are many more than Nalbandian, for his other good showings in major indoor events, etc....Plus if both play their best game, Federer wins.

 

[lessthanjake]

At his VERY best, Nalbandian could give Federer a run for his money indoors even if Federer were at his very best. Federer is the better indoor player, but that's more cause he is just a far better player overall.

 

[flying24]

I think Nalbandian is a bit overrated on these boards...remember that Blake
absolutely demolished him indoors at the 06 YEC. When at his best he was great (mainly b/c he owned Fed), but even then he was owned by big hitters like Roddick.

Federer is 10-8 lifetime vs Nalbandian but 10-3 vs him since October 2003. Roddick is 3-2 lifetime vs Nalbandian but has lost their last 2 meetings in straight sets, and was 1 point from having lost the last 3 meetings in straight sets. How you conclude Nalbandian owns Federer, yet Nalbandian is owned by Roddick, is laughable. Yeah sure if you were talking 2002-2003 that statement would make sense.

 

[drwood]

Federer is 10-8 lifetime vs Nalbandian but 10-3 vs him since October 2003. Roddick is 3-2 lifetime vs Nalbandian but has lost their last 2 meetings in straight sets, and was 1 point from having lost the last 3 meetings in straight sets. How you conclude Nalbandian owns Federer, yet Nalbandian is owned by Roddick, is laughable. Yeah sure if you were talking 2002-2003 that statement would make sense.

2003 is when Nalbandian was at his best consistently, with the exception of the 05 YEC and sprinkled other events. That's why I made the statements I did.

 

[flying24]

2003 is when Nalbandian was at his best consistently, with the exception of the 05 YEC and sprinkled other events. That's why I made the statements I did.

There we will have to disagree. 2004-2006 was Nalbandian's most consistent tennis (if there is such a thing).

 

[lawrence]

i agree that nalbandian is overrated. people like to measure a few match of his against federer as a level indicator for nalby. if all you can conclude from his career is his gameplay vs federer it means its not a very bright career

 

[Enigma_87]

i agree that nalbandian is overrated. people like to measure a few match of his against federer as a level indicator for nalby. if all you can conclude from his career is his gameplay vs federer it means its not a very bright career

Disagree completely. I'd say they are pretty much on par(both at peak forms).

Nalby in 07 won back to back Madrid and Paris indoors in one of the toughest draws in MS ever.

In Paris he beat:
Almagro in the 1st round. 6-4,6-4
2nd round w. #15 Moya 6-4,6-4
3rd round w. #1 Federer 6-4,7-6
QF w. #5 Ferrer 7-6,6-7,6-2
SF w. #10 Gasquet 6-2,6-4
F w. #2 Nadal 6-4,6-0

In other words, not only he did beat Federer, but also trashed Nadal in the final and beat 2 other top ten players.

In Madrid he was even more convincing.
Clement in the 1st round. 5-7, 6-2,6-4
2nd round w. #9 Berdych 4-6,6-4,7-6
3rd round w. JM Del Potro 6-2,6-4
QF w. #2 Nadal 6-2,6-1
SF w. #3 Djokovic 6-4,7-6
F w. #1 Federer 1-6,6-3,6-3

He beat #1,2,3 back to back and #1 and #2 in back to back tournaments.

He did well in the following year when he eliminated Delpo, Davy and USO finalist and Madrid winner Murray, only to lose to Tsonga in a tight match.

In Madrid the same year didn't perform well and was eliminated by Delpo and Federer and Safin before that (if my memory serves me right).

Nalby's problems have always been motivational, and physical. He's one hell of a player indoors that's for sure. One of the most consistent indoor players if physically all right..

 

[joeri888]

Wasn''t the masters cup indoors all the times that Federer won it? Again, if they meet it might be Nalbandian who takes it, but in the end Federer is a way more achieved player on this surface. Btw, Slump Federer last year played one of his best matches of the season against Nalbandian in Basel.