US Open 2011: If Federer had converted the 2 Match-points against Djokovic, would he have had any chance against Nadal?

[Break To Win]

He was playing well that US Open. It was 2 sets x 0 against Djoker in the semis. But, he lost.

He should have beaten Nadal in that year's French Open final, the first two sets could have gone either way. But he lost.

Would he have the confidence to beat Nadal, in more favorable conditions?

If it were in 2017 or 2018, I would be sure he would beat Rafa. After the 2017 final, Federer just couldn't beat Nadal on clay. But on other surfaces, even slow hard courts, he would beat Nadal.

But in this scenario, it's 2011.

In my opinion, he would only have a chance if he won the first set.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

It is what is. You spamming the Former Player Talk what Federer could have did differently won’t change anything. Federer didn’t look back at his career in this way and didn’t let tennis achievements define him hence able to move on in retirement.

 

[bigbadboaz]

Relax. People like to ponder what-ifs about their favorite players. And the loss of a Fedal US Open final is a small tragedy in the sport's history.

Nothing bigger than that. This is what this section is for.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Relax. People like to ponder what-ifs about their favorite players. And the loss of a Fedal US Open final is a small tragedy in the sport's history.

Nothing bigger than that. This is what this section is for.

LOL, small tragedy. No is losing sleep over something that could have happened in 2011 and it’s 2023.

 

[bigbadboaz]

Why the **** are you in a "former tennis pros" forum?

 

[Break To Win]

Why the **** are you in a "former tennis pros" forum?

Because tennis players from the 1980s-1990s-2000s are much more interesting than current ones.

The exception is Alcaraz and Rune.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Yeah, not in 2010. But in 2011 I think it could have gone either way.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Why the **** are you in a "former tennis pros" forum?

It was too bad they didn’t play but don’t be overdramatize that it didn’t happe.

 

[bigbadboaz]

I'm far the only one to cite it, or feel it was a matchup we missed out on. The preeminent rivalry of the time, at that point possibly in the sport ever, and the only GS we didn't get the matchup. There's nothing to "overdramatize".

 

[Rosstour]

Probably not. Nadal in 2011 was still a matchup nightmare for Fed and he had been out of his prime window for 3 years already. Rafa didn't jump out that window until 2014.

 

[jrepac]

Probably not. Nadal in 2011 was still a matchup nightmare for Fed and he had been out of his prime window for 3 years already. Rafa didn't jump out that window until 2014.

I tend to agree...Fed really had so-so results at the USO in the successive years from his last win, which I always found a little strange.

 

[Break To Win]

I tend to agree...Fed really had so-so results at the USO in the successive years from his last win, which I always found a little strange.

After they made the Roof at Arthur Ashe, Federer worsened his performance at the US Open. It wasn't even because of the speed on the court, but he seemed to feel more tired with the high humidity in NY.

 

[martinezownsclay]

Absolutely IMO. Nadal was definitely not at his best, and Federer was playing very well at this event. His chances vs Nadal in 2010 had he converted match point vs Djokovic in the semis were very minimal IMO, but 2011 is a whole other story. I would say it is atleast 50/50 for Federer.