Were Nadal and Federer better in the 2007 final?

[Heracles]

I was rewatching the HL of the 2007 final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olq7xRFf1A0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7mHwTrR0Pc&feature=related

And as I remembered it was a great match.

The points were less contested and back and forth than in this year final but both Nadal and Federer were hitting insane winners and shots to win. Nadal in the last two sets was crushing the ball with his forehand.

Do you think that Nadal and Federer played better in this 2007 final than they did this year? Or that one of them played better this year and the other played worse than in 2007?

 

[Clay lover]

I recall Nadal always being a slow starter when it comes to slam matches especially against Federer. The first set he'd be too passive and his focus does not seem to be there and Federer will push him really hard. By the start of the 2nd or 3rd set though Nadal raises his whole level and this combined with the drop of Fed's stamina contribute to the reason why Nadal starts to get back in the game. 2011 Nadal was hitting noticeably harder by the 2nd as well.

I think it has been the same pattern every year except 2008.

 

[TTMR]

These highlights really make me miss Nadal's old look. It was so novel and rugged. Now he looks as polished and corporate as Federer.

Also, great tennis.

 

[MichaelNadal]

These highlights really make me miss Nadal's old look. It was so novel and rugged. Now he looks as polished and corporate as Federer.

Also, great tennis.

I so agree, wish he would bring it back but it's not gonna happen.

 

[single_handed_champion]

Both have lost a step clearly. And both used to go for their inside-out forehands so much more then.