That 5th set, even though I'm very happy with the result, kind of makes sure it's not as good a match as AO 2012, it's a shame with those matches. I also kind of feel like that RG 2017 SF is a very overrated match, because that last set was so one-sided, but of course a match isn't only the 5th set.
I could never understand this opinion. IMO the level in the first 4 sets was higher than anything we have seen in AO 2012 final. Alright, the fifth set was one sided, so what? The second and third sets in AO 2012 final were one sided as well. It was close to a routine 4 set win for Djokovic in that AO final. Nadal was lucky to push that into a fifth set. (just like Djokovic was lucky in RG 2013)
I guess the match was alright, to be absolutely fair I only saw the 3rd-5th set, as I wasn't home before then, also I am probably just a little sad Murray didn't win, but anyway, I do feel it would have been much better if the 5th set was longer.
That one was an unreal match, definitely one of the best of all time. Djokovic-Wawrinka was great too, though it was a bit ruined by that terrible call on a key point.
Totally agree on Rome 2005 final, this was an epic match. An example of "real" claycourt tennis. RG 2013 semifinal is overrated though.
I think Rome 05 is the greatest clay court match of all time. The court coverage of both players was nothing like we have ever seen before or since. Why do you think 2013 is overrated? It's not the greatest match ever, but the level outside of the 3rd set where Joker colloapsed on a bad call was extremely high. I also love Rome 06, but I think that match tends to be slightly over-hyped because Fedal.
Nadal should have won RG 2013 semifinal in 4 sets but he choked. The level of play wasn't too high in the first 4 sets anyway. Only in the fifth set Nadal really started to hit some very nice winners.
How are you watching them? Surely not on vHS?
Torrents mostly. A lot of big matches from the '90s are on YouTube, particularly if they involve Sampras or Edberg. The quality is variable.
Not sure where it stacks up to the AO 12 Final. I think the tennis quality was higher in 09. Maybe the drama was better in 12, with the epic finish, rather than the rather limp 5th set from Fed (although full credit to Nadal; he never let up, and earned that victory). Depends what you're looking for in a match. In my Fed fan bias, I would love to have the 5th set of the AO 2017 final tacked onto the first 4 sets of the AO 09 final. That would be the perfect match to me
You have to add in the 2011 USO Final of Stosur v Serena.All you need is to add Venus vs Serena USO 2008
