The best semifinal ever...

[pc1]

Yeah, maybe.

I will say it was the most fun I've had watching the men's and women's matches for the day. The last match of Connors versus McEnroe lasted until pretty late at night.

 

[BorgCash]

I will say it was the most fun I've had watching the men's and women's matches for the day. The last match of Connors versus McEnroe lasted until pretty late at night.

Have you been there?

 

[deacsyoga]

Safin-Federer and Nadal-Verdasco at the Australian Open were both and about equally outstanding. However the best day of semi finals in one day was definitely the 84 U.S Open where you had Evert-Navratilova (final), Lendl-Cash (semi), Connors-McEnroe (semi) in 3 straight classics.

 

[smoledman]

2005 AO Federer/Safin
2009 AO Nadal/Verdasco
2010 USO Federer/Djokovic
2011 FO Federer/Djokovic
2011 USO Federer/Djokovic
2012 AO Djokovic/Murray
2013 FO Nadal/Djokovic
2013 USO Djokovic/Wawrinka
2014 USO Djokovic/Nishikori
2017 AO Federer/Wawrinka
2017 Wimbledon Cilic/Querrey

 

[lud]

AO 2005
AO 2009
WIM 2001
WIM 2000
UO 2010
UO 2011

My vote is: Fed vs Djo - UsOpen 2011

 

[lud]

2005 AO Federer/Safin
2009 AO Nadal/Verdasco
2010 USO Federer/Djokovic
2011 FO Federer/Djokovic
2011 USO Federer/Djokovic
2012 AO Djokovic/Murray
2013 FO Nadal/Djokovic
2013 USO Djokovic/Wawrinka
2014 USO Djokovic/Nishikori
2017 AO Federer/Wawrinka
2017 Wimbledon Cilic/Querrey

You should include Rafter vs Agassi matches in Wimbledon 2000/2001. Classics.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Indubitably the best

 

[Gizo]

Borg-Gerulaitis at Wimbledon in 1977 is still the best grand slam semi-final that I have ever seen.

 

[TheAssassin]

Indubitably the best

Really?

For me it's questionable whether even the great 5th set was better than the one between Safin and Fed.

 

[TheAssassin]

A little fun fact.

Prior to this match, Federer was on a winning streak of 26 matches (my mistake typing 27 in the OP), and also won the last 28 sets and 50/52 sets prior to this match. He had some longer winning streaks but this was definitely one of the most stunning streak ending matches. In the league of Fed-Novak RG 2011 and Lendl-JMac RG 1984 matches IMO.

 

[NatF]

Indubitably the best

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Laughing from appreciation of the beautiful highlights, mon frere?

 

[duaneeo]

Sampras-Agassi 2001 US Open
Federer-Nadal 2006 Tennis Masters Cup

Two thrilling classics. The tennis is AH-mazing.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Really?

For me it's questionable whether even the great 5th set was better than the one between Safin and Fed.

this match is the best. Anyone who doesnt at least rate it in the top 3 should find spiritual guidance!

 

[Djokovic2011]

this match is the best. Anyone who doesnt at least rate it in the top 3 should find spiritual guidance!

Something tells me NatF will be visiting the nearest temple whenever he has a bit of spare time on his hands.

 

[BringBackWood]

Borg Gerulaitis for me. Magical play from both for 5 sets.

 

[TheAssassin]

Sampras-Agassi 2001 US Open
Federer-Nadal 2006 Tennis Masters Cup

Two thrilling classics. The tennis is AH-mazing.

Nice choices, though the first one was a quarterfinal.

this match is the best. Anyone who doesnt at least rate it in the top 3 should find spiritual guidance!

You love the Djokodal brutality don't you? Best semifinal or best in general? I could easily name 3 clay court matches alone that I prefer over their RG match. Though I admit that net touch gave me nightmares. So maybe it makes me push it down more than I should.

 

[duaneeo]

Nice choices, though the first one was a quarterfinal.

Oops.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Nice choices, though the first one was a quarterfinal.

You love the Djokodal brutality don't you? Best semifinal or best in general? I could easily name 3 clay court matches alone that I prefer over their RG match. Though I admit that net touch gave me nightmares. So maybe it makes me push it down more than I should.

Yeah I love the brutality , like a gladiator fight to the death. I wanna see guys near death on the court. Makes the tennis seem more "real".

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Something tells me NatF will be visiting the nearest temple whenever he has a bit of spare time on his hands.

He is facing Mecca now on his knees, that's why he hasnt posted since I replied

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Indubitably the best

When Djokovic decides to tank a set 6-1, it does not make it indubitably the best for me. Had that third set been competitive, I may have change my mind.

For me, Fed-Safin AO 05, Nadal-Verdasco AO 09, Nadal-Djokovic Madrid 09, Nadal - Murray WTF 10, Agassi-Safin AO 04 are classics also.

 

[El Principe]

Nadal - Verdasco AO 2009 was immense. One of my favourite matches ever

Tsonga - Nadal AO 2008 was insane (oh and the Holy Grail of Tsonga fandom)

Federer - Djokovic FO 2011 was pretty amazing, what with Fed stopping Novak's winning streak. No to mention the infamous finger wag and the GOAT tennis polo (I actually own this polo but it always ran small so my dream is to get it signed by Goderer himself then to frame it)

 

[JasonZ]

Ivanisevic - Sampras at wimbledon 1995. The two best grass players at their peak. Better than the more famous 1998 final.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

When Djokovic decides to tank a set 6-1, it does not make it indubitably the best for me. Had that third set been competitive, I may have change my mind.

For me, Fed-Safin AO 05, Nadal-Verdasco AO 09, Nadal-Djokovic Madrid 09, Nadal - Murray WTF 10, Agassi-Safin AO 04 are classics also.

Nadal Murray 2nd set in that match was 6-3 to Murray with 2 breaks. I don't think it's logical to discount an epic 5 set slam match because of a single 6-1 set, but consider a WTF match between a historically poor indoor player vs a lesser player overall despite a double break set in a 3 set match. And Agassi Safin 04 had a 6-1 4th set as well!

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Nadal Murray 2nd set in that match was 6-3 to Murray with 2 breaks. I don't think it's logical to discount an epic 5 set slam match because of a single 6-1 set, but consider a WTF match between a historically poor indoor player vs a lesser player overall despite a double break set in a 3 set match. And Agassi Safin 04 had a 6-1 4th set as well!

The difference here is, I am not saying any of them indubitably the best. I am saying they are classics also. See the difference?

I ack RG semi, and say it could have been the perfect match had he not tanked the third set. So, I group it in with other classics, because they all have a couple of flaws, but are still stand out matches.

Heck Del-Potro v Djokovic was a barn burner too.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

The difference here is, I am not saying any of them indubitably the best. I am saying they are classics also. See the difference?

I ack RG semi, and say it could have been the perfect match had he not tanked the third set. So, I group it in with other classics, because they all have a couple of flaws, but are still stand out matches.

Heck Del-Potro v Djokovic was a barn burner too.

No because obviously its a bit of a joke when I say that. And it's due to the fact that it has been largely discredited on here. I'm not saying it's wrong to say it had a couple of flaws but many posters rate it below many other classic matches, including other matches on clay. For example on another thread you asserted that RG 11 SF was higher quality. That's where it comes from. It is confusing to me, RG 13 SF may not be the finest match ever on clay, but it is certainly up there..no?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

No because obviously its a bit of a joke when I say that. And it's due to the fact that it has been largely discredited on here. I'm not saying it's wrong to say it had a couple of flaws but many posters rate it below many other classic matches, including other matches on clay. For example on another thread you asserted that RG 11 SF was higher quality. That's where it comes from. It is confusing to me, RG 13 SF may not be the finest match ever on clay, but it is certainly up there..no?

Yes, it certainly is. That cannot be denied.

My personal opinion is that RG semi 11 had better quality in the first four sets than RG semi 2013. No tanking whatsoever, and a couple of tie breakers and 7-5 sets between peakiest forms of Federer and Djokovic. Just my opinion.

However, Nadal 2013 is the greater match, because of the story telling and crazy fifth set. The whole, will Nadal lose to Djokovic or won't he? The first couple of sets were great, don't get me wrong, but the match fell flat from start of third until Nadal was about to serve it out in the fourth. Then it pumped up, and became the epic.

It is just like AO 09 and AO 17 for me. The first for sets of AO 09 makes it a better quality match overall. But due to the dramatic craziness of the fifth set, AO 2017 is the greater match, because of the GOAT storyline added on.

Remember, this is just my opinion. But I wholeheartedly agree that RG semi 2013 is an all time great, even if I don't see it in the same light as you. I can't look past that poor patch in the middle.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Yes, it certainly is. That cannot be denied.

My personal opinion is that RG semi 11 had better quality in the first four sets than RG semi 2013. No tanking whatsoever, and a couple of tie breakers and 7-5 sets between peakiest forms of Federer and Djokovic. Just my opinion.

However, Nadal 2013 is the greater match, because of the story telling and crazy fifth set. The whole, will Nadal lose to Djokovic or won't he? The first couple of sets were great, don't get me wrong, but the match fell flat from start of third until Nadal was about to serve it out in the fourth. Then it pumped up, and became the epic.

It is just like AO 09 and AO 17 for me. The first for sets of AO 09 makes it a better quality match overall. But due to the dramatic craziness of the fifth set, AO 2017 is the greater match, because of the GOAT storyline added on.

Remember, this is just my opinion. But I wholeheartedly agree that RG semi 2013 is an all time great, even if I don't see it in the same light as you. I can't look past that poor patch in the middle.

Yes I agree perhaps that great narrative makes me overrate it slightly

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yes I agree perhaps that great narrative makes me overrate it slightly

Storylines make matches more epic. It adds to the emotional investment and that is a good thing. I completely get it when you speak about RG semi 2013. I know where you are coming from.

 

[hotasice]

pretty awesome match.

It's crazy how big and hulky Safin is. I know his PT10 is a mid-size, but in his hands it looks like a tiny little junior racquet.

 

[NatF]

Laughing from appreciation of the beautiful highlights, mon frere?

Laughing at Djokovic's play from the middle of the first set to the middle of the second and in the third mate

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Laughing at Djokovic's play from the middle of the first set to the middle of the second and in the third mate

he WON the 2nd

And his play was better this day than RG 11 SF, even if less consistent m8

 

[NatF]

he WON the 2nd

And his play was better this day than RG 11 SF, even if less consistent m8

I said middle of the second. He had a sets worth of games from the middle of the first where he was just not playing well. And it's at least debatable about the FO 2011 SF - I probably don't rate that match quite as highly as some do either.

Neither would be inside my top 5.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I said middle of the second. He had a sets worth of games from the middle of the first where he was just not playing well. And it's at least debatable about the FO 2011 SF - I probably don't rate that match quite as highly as some do either.

Neither would be inside my top 5.

Top 5 what? Semis?

 

[TheAssassin]

Yeah I love the brutality , like a gladiator fight to the death. I wanna see guys near death on the court. Makes the tennis seem more "real".

Then I think you should check out the 2005 Rome final between Nadal and Coria. That one was sick.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Then I think you should check out the 2005 Rome final between Nadal and Coria. That one was sick.

that is one of my fav, I cant tell if I like that or the fedal match the next year more. Coria one was def more brutal, because he plays similar style to Nadal.

 

[NatF]

Top 5 what? Semis?

Yeah, possibly neither inside my top 10 tbh

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Yeah, possibly neither inside my top 10 tbh

Interesting, many contributors, medisa pundits etc at the time considered RG SF 13 at worst "one of the best clay matches of all time."

 

[NatF]

Interesting, many contributors, medisa pundits etc at the time considered RG SF 13 at worst "one of the best clay matches of all time."

Recency bias? Selling the sport? Take your pick

One of the best clay matches of all time doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be in my top 10, the majority of great matches in history have mostly been on grass and HC IMO.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Recency bias? Selling the sport? Take your pick

One of the best clay matches of all time doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be in my top 10, the majority of great matches in history have mostly been on grass and HC IMO.

surface bias?

Well in all seriousness clay is but 1 of 3 surfaces and 1 of 4 slam surfaces. It is more common than grass, but far less than hard. So yes, it would make sense that more great matches would be one of grass or HC vs on clay

However, consider we are talking about top 10 SF's and this was certainly a noteable one.

Also if 1 is among the top few clay matches and possibly the best or top 2 clay sf's, it is surprising it would not appear in the top 10 list of SF's overall

Unless 1 has a bias against clay

 

[NatF]

surface bias?

Well in all seriousness clay is but 1 of 3 surfaces and 1 of 4 slam surfaces. It is more common than grass, but far less than hard. So yes, it would make sense that more great matches would be one of grass or HC vs on clay

However, consider we are talking about top 10 SF's and this was certainly a noteable one.

Also if 1 is among the top few clay matches and possibly the best or top 2 clay sf's, it is surprising it would not appear in the top 10 list of SF's overall

Unless 1 has a bias against clay

Disagree. Clay is actually my favourite surface to watch these days. I just don't think the FO has seen that many classic matches compared to the other majors, partly because in the past more ATG's have had an affinity for grass and HC.

Off the top of my head SF's at other majors which I think had at least equal quality in no order;

AO 2005 SF
AO 2009 SF
AO 2004 SF
Wim 2013 SF
Wim 2000 SF
USO 1984 SF - potentially both of them
Wim 1977 SF
Wim 1995 SF
AO 1969 SF
AO 2000 SF

Greatness is something else obviously, the dramatic fifth set in 2013 is obviously a plus. But a match that doesn't really take off until the fifth just isn't that great to me. I'm probably forgetting a few matches.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

I'll watch the full match tomorrow. This time in one piece and without doing anything else on the side. I really want to like it more than I really do.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Disagree. Clay is actually my favourite surface to watch these days. I just don't think the FO has seen that many classic matches compared to the other majors, partly because in the past more ATG's have had an affinity for grass and HC.

Off the top of my head SF's at other majors which I think had at least equal quality in no order;

AO 2005 SF
AO 2009 SF
AO 2004 SF
Wim 2013 SF
Wim 2000 SF
USO 1984 SF - potentially both of them
Wim 1977 SF
Wim 1995 SF
AO 1969 SF
AO 2000 SF

Greatness is something else obviously, the dramatic fifth set in 2013 is obviously a plus. But a match that doesn't really take off until the fifth just isn't that great to me. I'm probably forgetting a few matches.

That's a reasonably good point. Would just ask to consider Nadal and Djok are both all time greats in a 5 setter in that match with an insanely high level 5th set. I found parts of the 1st, 2nd, end of 4th including tiebreak very high quality as well. It is true it seemed 1 player was zoning when the other wasn't at times, but in the 5th both were.

 

[NatF]

That's a reasonably good point. Would just ask to consider Nadal and Djok are both all time greats in a 5 setter in that match with an insanely high level 5th set. I found parts of the 1st, 2nd, end of 4th including tiebreak very high quality as well. It is true it seemed 1 player was zoning when the other wasn't at times, but in the 5th both were.

Maybe I'm undervaluing it. It did have good matches, the first 4 games were great etc...the fifth was amazing. I put it more in the territory of matches like the AO 2017 Final, great matches and definitely classics but not on my all time list. Up until the fifth it looked like Djokovic had been raising his game just when he needed to in order to keep the match alive. It was exciting but the quality wasn't there for me.

We'll probably never see eye to eye on this though. I wouldn't begrudge anyone calling it a classic or a great match, but in terms of quality alone there's much room to debate IMO.

 

[Gazelle]

The best semifinal every was at the 1932 USO between Zweiger and Britman. But it seems for most people history started in 2011, or 2005 at best.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

The best semifinal every was at the 1932 USO between Zweiger and Britman. But it seems for most people history started in 2011, or 2005 at best.

I was born in 1989, so that's when history started for me

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Maybe I'm undervaluing it. It did have good matches, the first 4 games were great etc...the fifth was amazing. I put it more in the territory of matches like the AO 2017 Final, great matches and definitely classics but not on my all time list. Up until the fifth it looked like Djokovic had been raising his game just when he needed to in order to keep the match alive. It was exciting but the quality wasn't there for me.

We'll probably never see eye to eye on this though. I wouldn't begrudge anyone calling it a classic or a great match, but in terms of quality alone there's much room to debate IMO.

Can I ask what your favorite clay match is? Rome 06 final? What about favorite RG match?

I would say that yes there was something a bit stilted about it much like AO 17 where the match didn't really flow and you didn't realize the greatness/drama until the 5th. I do think it was higher quality than AO 17, simply because Fedal this year as great as their renaissance has been are not as close to their physical peak as Djokovic and Nadal were in 2013.

 

[NatF]

Can I ask what your favorite clay match is? Rome 06 final? What about favorite RG match?

I would say that yes there was something a bit stilted about it much like AO 17 where the match didn't really flow and you didn't realize the greatness/drama until the 5th. I do think it was higher quality than AO 17, simply because Fedal this year as great as their renaissance has been are not as close to their physical peak as Djokovic and Nadal were in 2013.

Rome 2005 final is my favourite clay match. Favourite FO match is probably any match from Federer in 2009

I think the 2017 AO final had a bit better shotmaking, but in terms of athleticism etc...obviously the 2013 FO SF is clearly ahead. Most don't remember but during the third set commentators were wondering if Djokovic was going to throw in the towel as he looked injured. I think it's romanticised because it was one of the rare times Nadal ever went 5. I think the quality was patchy, Djokovic went from brilliant to awful a couple of times but he saved his best for when it counted. The fifth set was incredible and I was rooting so hard for Djokovic But it felt like he was a sandcastle trying to fight the tide in the 5th tbh, Nadal was coming and coming at him.

 

[Djokovic2011]

I said middle of the second. He had a sets worth of games from the middle of the first where he was just not playing well. And it's at least debatable about the FO 2011 SF - I probably don't rate that match quite as highly as some do either.

Neither would be inside my top 5.

I get the impression you don't really rate either Djokovic or Federer as highly on clay as many others do, hence why you're loathe to rank even the very best clay matches they've played throughout their careers near the top of any list. Would that be a fair thing to say mate?

 

[NatF]

I get the impression you don't really rate either Djokovic or Federer as highly on clay as many others do, hence why you're loathe to rank even the very best clay matches they've played throughout their careers near the top of any list. Would that be a fair thing to say mate?

I just don't think either of them brought their best to the FO in the biggest matches. I think they're very good clay courters though.