What are your Top 3 (of the 5-set) matches among The Big 3

[RaulRamirez]

Based on quality and suspense - or whatever your criteria - but not just rooting interest - what would you rank as the top three 5-setters from the 11 contested by Big 3 members?

Interestingly, the first two were held at Wimbledon, as were the most recent two, and five overall.
Three were held at the AO, two at the US, and one at RG.
Fed's been involved in 8, and both Nadal and Djokovic in 7.
There have been four featuring Fedal, four Fedovic and only three Djokodals, but the Djokodals were spread out over three slams.

Chronologically - not looking, so I hope I didn't miss any.
*** As was correctly pointed out by @duaneeo and @Third Serve, I confined this list to just their 5-set matches in the four majors. This was an oversight on my part, but if you were to just consider these 11 classics...***

a. Wimbledon 07 - Federer over Nadal
b. Wimbledon 08 - Nadal over Federer
c. Australian 09 - Nadal over Federer
d. US Open 10 - Djokovic over Federer
e. US Open 11 - Djokovic over Federer
f. Australian 12 - Djokovic over Nadal
g. French 13 - Nadal over Djokovic
h. Wimbledon 14 - Djokovic over Federer
i. Australian 17 - Federer over Nadal
j. Wimbledon 18 - Djokovic over Nadal
k. Wimbledon 19 - Djokovic over Federer

 

[Street]

Us open 2010
Us open 2011
Wimbledon 2019

 

[FedeRadi]

Wow, hard question.

I'll go with AO12 final at 1st place. Quality, intensity, suspence was all unbelivable.

Top 3 is more difficult to me.
I'll go to exclude post-2017 matches. All 3 has great suspence, but it has something to do with lower players' level.
WC07 and RG13 was somehow ruined by a "I know how this will end" feeling.
Loved both USO semifinals, but they were not finals, so lower reward at stake. Not a big threat, but comparing so high level matches every detail counts.

I don't have a real case between WC08, AO09 and WC14.
From my feelings I'll go:
1. Australian Open 2012
2. Wimbledon 2008
3. Wimbledon 2014

But my rank can be biased being a Nole's fan.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

1.Federer - Nadal (2008 Wimbledon)
2.Djokovic - Nadal (2012 Australian Open)
3.Djokovic - Federer (2014 Wimbledon)
4.Nadal - Federer (2009 Australian Open)
5.Djokovic - Federer (2011 US Open)
6.Djokovic - Nadal (2018 Wimbledon)
7.Djokovic - Federer (2019 Wimbledon)
8.Federer - Nadal (2007 Wimbledon)
9.Djokovic - Federer (2010 US Open)
10.Nadal - Djokovic (2013 Roland Garros)
11.Federer - Nadal (2017 Australian Open)

In that exact order...

 

[RaulRamirez]

Wow, hard question.

I'll go with AO12 final at 1st place. Quality, intensity, suspence was all unbelivable.

Top 3 is more difficult to me.
I'll go to exclude post-2017 matches. All 3 has great suspence, but it has something to do with lower players' level.
WC07 and RG13 was somehow ruined by a "I know how this will end" feeling.
Loved both USO semifinals, but they were not finals, so lower reward at stake. Not a big threat, but comparing so high level matches every detail counts.

I don't have a real case between WC08, AO09 and WC14.
From my feelings I'll go:
1. Australian Open 2012
2. Wimbledon 2008
3. Wimbledon 2014

But my rank can be biased being a Nole's fan.

It's hard to totally remove subjective bias; I'm still trying to come up with my own top three, let alone ranking all 11.

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

Us open 2010
Us open 2011
Wimbledon 2019

Trolling hell

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Trolling hell

LOL I haven't realized its the exact three ones, where Federer lost matches to Djokovic from 40-15, when serving for the match!

 

[RaulRamirez]

I hope this does not turn into a troll thread... c'mon, guys. Opinions? Of course. Trollery? No.

 

[duaneeo]

2006 Rome
2012 AO
2017 AO

 

[Third Serve]

Don’t forget Miami 2005 and Rome 2006. Both were Fedal five-setters!

 

[RaulRamirez]

Don’t forget Miami 2005 and Rome 2006. Both were Fedal five-setters!

True - I was just thinking about the "slams". Given that, which would be your choices?

 

[Tennisfan339]

Wimbledon 19, for the drama and the context of the match. (My arguments here https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/djokovic-federer-best-match-ever.649727/)

USO 2011 fot the level of tennis (the 2nd ad 3rd sets especially)

3rd choice is harder... I'll go with AO 2017 final. Unpexpected come back from Fedal.

 

[rUDin 21]

W08
AO12
W19
W14
W18~USO11

 

[Druss]

1) AO F 2017
2) AO F 2012
3) SW19 F 2007
.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I'll try my own impossible task - even if it's without great conviction:

W 2008 - Some say that W 2007 was better quality, which it may have been (I'm not sure), but it was not nearly as climactic. There's a reason that this has been a near-consensus pick as the "Match of the ____".
W 2018 - Yes, it was a semifinal, but we all know it was the de facto final (just like Djokodal 2013 RG was). It was Rafa's return to great play at Wimbledon (after a long absence) and Novak's comeback from two years of lackluster play. And the play was of the highest quality - with drama somewhat heightened by WC's annoying curfew and next-day carryover.
???? I want to pick one of the Fedovic clashes, but as dramatic as last year's Wimbledon was, I don't think that the play was quite at the level of some of the others. Perhaps surprisingly, I'm going to go past the titanic 2012 AO final and choose RG 2013. Great play, with some controversy...perhaps, not controversy, but Novak's net-touch helped to pave the way for Rafa's 5th set comeback. Novak was great enough to take out the king that day...well, amost.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

AO 2017 final
Wimbledon 2007 final
Rome 2006 final

 

[NoleFam]

AO 2012
W 2008
W 2018

Honorable mention: AO 2009

 

[Third Serve]

True - I was just thinking about the "slams". Given that, which would be your choices?

Top 3 is tough.

Quality: 1. 2012 AO 2. 2006 Rome 3. Wimbly 2008 or 2018

Drama: 1. 2008 Wimbly 2. 2017 AO 3. 2019 Wimbly

Historical Significance + Impact: 1. 2008 Wimbly 2. 2017 AO 3. 2009 AO or 2012 AO

Since we're limited to three options, I'm practically doing a disservice to all of the matches that couldn't get mentioned here. I can't pick a top three but I know my favorite match in terms of pure shotmaking has to be the AO 2009 final. I don't include it in the "Quality" section because of that stinker of a last set, but if we had to restrict it to the first four sets, it would definitely take number 1.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Top 3 is tough.

Quality: 1. 2012 AO 2. 2006 Rome 3. Wimbly 2008 or 2018

Drama: 1. 2008 Wimbly 2. 2017 AO 3. 2019 Wimbly

Historical Significance + Impact: 1. 2008 Wimbly 2. 2017 AO 3. 2009 AO or 2012 AO

Since we're limited to three options, I'm practically doing a disservice to all of the matches that couldn't get mentioned here. I can't pick a top three but I know my favorite match in terms of pure shotmaking has to be the AO 2009 final. I don't include it in the "Quality" section because of that stinker of a last set, but if we had to restrict it to the first four sets, it would definitely take number 1.

At some point, I need to rewatch (at least the highlights of) Rome 06 - only so much time to devote to this, and as is, my wife would kill me if she knew how much time I spent on this site - and doing "research" for it.
But even restricting this to the 11 slam showdowns, it is a very tough task.
While I narrowly chose slightly different matches, yours is a strong list - and I like how you broke it down.

 

[BeatlesFan]

AO 2017 final
Wimbledon 2007 final
Rome 2006 final

Same here.

 

[junior74]

Only going with finals here: (corrected by @RaulRamirez - RG 13 was SF of course )

1. Wimbledon 2008
2. Wimbledon 2009
3. Roland Garros 2013
4. Australian Open 2017
5. Wimbledon 2014

Sorry NYC - no soup for you!

 

[Azure]

I will go with slams alone

1. Wimbledon 2007 (higher quality although low on drama)
2. Wimbledon 2008 (high on drama, suspense but slightly lower on quality as opposed to 07' final)
3. Third place is the toughest - lots to choose from - AO09, AO12, Wimbly18,19, RG13, USO15

 

[RaulRamirez]

Only going with finals here:

1. Wimbledon 2008
2. Wimbledon 2009
3. Roland Garros 2013
4. Australian Open 2017
5. Wimbledon 2014

Sorry NYC - no soup for you!

Actually, RG13 was a semi. No offense to Ferrer, but everyone knew that it was the de facto final - even moreso than Wimb18.

 

[junior74]

Actually, RG13 was a semi. No offense to Ferrer, but everyone knew that it was the de facto final - even moreso than Wimb18.

True, RG 13 SF has slowly morphed into becoming the final in my mind

Ferrer #17 of all time in the ELO peak system, lol (no offence, David - I really liked you!)

 

[sliceroni]

Wimbledon final 2008
AO final 2009
AO final 2017

 

[NatF]

Almost impossible almost to pick for me. Do I go for highest quality? Best match encompassing quality and drama? Or just my favourites?

Top three least favourite would be a lot easier

 

[RaulRamirez]

Almost impossible almost to pick for me. Do I go for highest quality? Best match encompassing quality and drama? Or just my favourites?

Top three least favourite would be a lot easier

It is almost impossible - and I wish there were even more to choose from - maybe another 5-setter at RG?
I'm guessing your "top three" least favorites, but...give it a shot if you want - whatever constitutes best and least to you.
While we differ on who we root for, you always bring a lot of tennis knowledge and are one of the more objective voices here.

 

[NatF]

It is almost impossible - and I wish there were even more to choose from - maybe another 5-setter at RG?
I'm guessing your "top three" least favorites, but...give it a shot if you want - whatever constitutes best and least to you.
While we differ on who we root for, you always bring a lot of tennis knowledge and are one of the more objective voices here.

I'll do a top 3 for each in no order...

Favourites: Wimby 2007, AO 2017, AO 2012

Best match: Wimby 2008, AO 2012, Wimby 2018

Best Quality: Wimby 2007, AO 2009, Wimby 2008


Least favourites...

Wimby 2019, AO 2009, Wimby 2008

 

[ibbi]

Wimbledon 08 and Wimbledon 18 would be two. Not sure about the third one. Probably AO09, USO11, RG13 or AO17. Tough call. Rome 06 would be the true rounder outer of the trilogy if you included non slam matches.

 

[King No1e]

Us open 2010
Us open 2011
Wimbledon 2019

 

[King No1e]

1. AO 2012 F
2. Wimbledon 2008 F
3. Wimbledon 18 SF

 

[ForehandCross]

If we can consider 2006 Rome Final, that's easily #1.

AO 2012 was a war but 2006 Rome had everything in it, the contrast of styles was magnificent. Movement from both was nothing short of miraculous,My favorite match.

Then comes the first 3-4 sets of AO 2009. Simply dumbfounding ball striking, of we consider highest highs then this one's #1. However the 5th set let it down

Now it's between 2011 USO SF,2007 WBF 2008 WB F, RG 2013,2018 WB.

2008 WB F feels overrated.I have watched sets 2-5 at Least 3 times by now and it doesn't shine that much. Federer played scared for a long stretch.


Also I never could really see the hype for 2013 RG. Both of them didn't play well at the same time till the 5th and it was a choke on Nadal's part somewhat to let it go 5. But yes the 5th set got to extreme highs.

2007 WB F is heavily underrated.


So it's like:
In terms of overall quality:

#1. 2006 Rome or 2012 AO F
#2. 2007 WB F.
#3. 2011 USO SF. /2018 WB SF.

Pure ballstriking:
#1.2009 AO
#2. USO 2011 SF
#3. 2007 WB F/ 2018 SF

Entertainment:
#1.2008 WB
#2.2012 AO
#3.2013 RG

My Favorite
#1. 2007 WB/2006 ROME/2018 WB
#2. 2011 USO SF
#3. 2012 AO.

 

[TheAssassin]

2018 Wimbledon semifinal, 2012 and 2017 AO finals

 

[RS]

If we can consider 2006 Rome Final, that's easily #1.

AO 2012 was a war but 2006 Rome had everything in it, the contrast of styles was magnificent. Movement from both was nothing short of miraculous,My favorite match.

Then comes the first 3-4 sets of AO 2009. Simply dumbfounding ball striking, of we consider highest highs then this one's #1. However the 5th set let it down

Now it's between 2011 USO SF,2007 WBF 2008 WB F, RG 2013,2018 WB.

2008 WB F feels overrated.I have watched sets 2-5 at Least 3 times by now and it doesn't shine that much. Federer played scared for a long stretch.


Also I never could really see the hype for 2013 RG. Both of them didn't play well at the same time till the 5th and it was a choke on Nadal's part somewhat to let it go 5. But yes the 5th set got to extreme highs.

2007 WB F is heavily underrated.


So it's like:
In terms of overall quality:

#1. 2006 Rome or 2012 AO F
#2. 2007 WB F.
#3. 2011 USO SF. /2018 WB SF.

Pure ballstriking:
#1.2009 AO
#2. USO 2011 SF
#3. 2007 WB F/ 2018 SF

Entertainment:
#1.2008 WB
#2.2012 AO
#3.2013 RG

My Favorite
#1. 2007 WB/2006 ROME/2018 WB
#2. 2011 USO SF
#3. 2012 AO.

Federer of USO 11 SF was very bad in the first few games of the third and 3 of the 4 games after the mp and for most of the 2nd set until the end.. Great rallies and attacking play in the first 2 sets and the last set but clearly the weakest match off all of those IMO.

 

[RS]

Favourites- AO 2009 final then Wimbeldon 2008 final then AO 2012 final/Wimbeldon 2018 SF
Quality-Wimbeldon 2007 F then AO 2009 F then Wimbeldon 2008 F/Wimbeldon 2018 SF
Historical Wimbeldon 2008 F then AO 2017 then Wimbeldon 2018 SF?