The Nalbandian Conundrum

[HuusHould]

Went 5 sets with an unseeded Hewitt at the 2011 AO, Nalbandian had just come back to form and he just managed to squeeze a win out.

He also hit an inside out backhand half volley drop shot after serving and volleying on match point to Hewitt at about 6-7 in the 5th! This was one of my favourite matches, I generally found Hewitt matches a bit boring, but not against certain players such as Nalbandian, he really forced him to draw on all his shots. If I wanted to teach a kid court craft, I'd say watch these highlights;

So does anybody have an idea why Fed had so much trouble against Nalbandian / Nalbandian was able to dominate Fed early in his career?

Nalbandian of course had a great backhand, to the point where it was almost like playing a lefty, so maybe this is something that the Fed doesn't like/has taken a while to figure out how to play against.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

He also hit an inside out backhand half volley drop shot after serving and volleying on match point to Hewitt at about 6-7 in the 5th! This was one of my favourite matches, I generally found Hewitt matches a bit boring, but not against certain players such as Nalbandian, he really forced him to draw on all his shots. If I wanted to teach a kid court craft, I'd say watch these highlights;

Nalbandian of course had a great backhand, to the point where it was almost like playing a lefty, so maybe this is something that the Fed doesn't like/has taken a while to figure out how to play against.

It's a good match, I agree - but that wasn't my point. My point was that unless everything is clicking in Nalbandian's game he usually struggles with relative nobodies.

It's like if he got up on the wrong side of the bed one day he could lose to a guy ranked 80 for no other apparent reason - even if he's ranked like 3.

 

[jstr]

Nalbandian and Safin were similar; big strapping guys with backboardish 2 hand BHs ... both good defenders and grinders

 

[Ray Mercer]

Nalbandian was unreal to watch. The guy was great strategically and an amazing shot maker. I love watching him rip backhands down the line or the jumping two hander. There isn't anyone close to him in the game now as far as shotmaking talent other than Federer. Nowadays it's all about running everything down and keeping the ball in play.

 

[Mainad]

Nalbandian and Safin were similar; big strapping guys with backboardish 2 hand BHs ... both good defenders and grinders

One liked cheeseburgers, the other liked cheesecake!