Who played the best match vs Federer at the USO in 2004-2008?

[abmk]

Been a pretty long time since I've watched the highlights, and even longer since the actual match. Maybe it was just wishful thinking?

possible

 

[Surion]

Hewitt, 2004.

 

[Otacon]

The most amazing thing to me is that Fed was never in danger of losing a match during that stretch.

 

[zagor]

Hewitt 2005 USO SF wasn't an awful match. That was the best Hewitt played against peak Fed. And it was a pretty high quality match.

It indeed was, especially in the 2nd and 3d sets. Funny to remember what a tiebreak beast Fed was in that period, he was making BH errors all through the 2nd set then when tiebreak came he started hitting BH winners out of nowhere (I especially recall this one huge DTL winner). Also loved the reckless abandon with which he hit off the FH side in 2005 USO, everytime his back was against the wall he just started wailing on the ball with his FH.

 

[NatF]

It indeed was, especially in the 2nd and 3d sets. Funny to remember what a tiebreak beast Fed was in that period, he was making BH errors all through the 2nd set then when tiebreak came he started hitting BH winners out of nowhere (I especially recall this one huge DTL winner). Also loved the reckless abandon with which he hit off the FH side in 2005 USO, everytime his back was against the wall he just started wailing on the ball with his FH.

Federer was super clutch all set, Hewitt was playing really well and coming to the net alot - like 40 times across the first few sets. He had Federer down BP multiple times only for Federer to go into another gear.

In the tiebreak Federer was immaculate, hit a huge backhand DTL into the very corner and another massive one crosscourt. To Hewitt's credit he didn't wilt and kept coming in the 3rd.

Hewitt on his game was a good ball striker, really underrated.

 

[zagor]

Federer was super clutch all set, Hewitt was playing really well and coming to the net alot - like 40 times across the first few sets. He had Federer down BP multiple times only for Federer to go into another gear.

In the tiebreak Federer was immaculate, hit a huge backhand DTL into the very corner and another massive one crosscourt. To Hewitt's credit he didn't wilt and kept coming in the 3rd.

It was one of their best matches in that period, could have easily went 5 (then again Fed might have gone to another level had he lost the 2nd set). Gotta give it to Hewitt for still having belief and trying to adapt after that 2004 final demolition job. Wish young players today had 1/10th of his competitive fire.

Hewitt on his game was a good ball striker, really underrated.

Well yeah but he wasn't at the time. It's the way it usually goes with the tennis fans, don't know if I've ever seen a sport fandom so quick to dismiss past players (even when we're talking about somewhat recent past). It has really started to get on my nerves.

Hewitt was a good ballstriker indeed (anyone who can absorb pace and return serve as well as he could is), especially when he was comitted to being more aggressive as he was in this match. He was taking the ball early, rushing Fed and forcing him to come up with some great defensive play and half-volleys from the baseline to hold him off.

 

[metsman]

It indeed was, especially in the 2nd and 3d sets. Funny to remember what a tiebreak beast Fed was in that period, he was making BH errors all through the 2nd set then when tiebreak came he started hitting BH winners out of nowhere (I especially recall this one huge DTL winner). Also loved the reckless abandon with which he hit off the FH side in 2005 USO, everytime his back was against the wall he just started wailing on the ball with his FH.

That BH winner is one of my favorite Federer shots of all time. Just utter disregard, contempt even that he was being pushed so hard. Perfectly encapsulates the confidence he had at his peak.

But yeah IIRC, Hewitt had like 4 set points in the 2nd. Three line clipping forehand winners, and a nasty short slice or something like that. And then 5 winners in the tiebreak.

 

[ibbi]

Off the top of my head I'd go with Agassi 05. Granted I think the insane atmosphere the crowd created was part of that, but he played so smart for what, 2 and a half sets before he just couldn't hang with Roger anymore. If he hadn't had such an arduous road through to that final it would probably have been one of those undeniable ones for the ages. Still would probably rank in my top 3 of all Fed's slam finals.

 

[ElisRF]

Agassi USO 2004.

 

[mike danny]

From best to worst:

1. 2004 Agassi
2. 2005 Hewitt
3. 2008 Djokovic
4. 2005 Agassi
5. 2007 Roddick

 

[Third Serve]

Not much to add to this thread that hasn’t already been said earlier on.

 

[ElisRF]

From best to worst:

1. 2004 Agassi
2. 2005 Hewitt
3. 2008 Djokovic
4. 2005 Agassi
5. 2007 Roddick

2007 Roddick should be higher.

 

[mike danny]

2007 Roddick should be higher.

If he won a set, he would be. Great performance, but it's not good that he couldn't at least win a set.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Federer was super clutch all set, Hewitt was playing really well and coming to the net alot - like 40 times across the first few sets. He had Federer down BP multiple times only for Federer to go into another gear.

In the tiebreak Federer was immaculate, hit a huge backhand DTL into the very corner and another massive one crosscourt. To Hewitt's credit he didn't wilt and kept coming in the 3rd.

Hewitt on his game was a good ball striker, really underrated.

Especially on this forum, for obvious reasons which are obvious.

 

[ElisRF]

If he won a set, he would be. Great performance, but it's not good that he couldn't at least win a set.

Federer was so sharp though to me among his best USO matches. Really close match for 2 and a half sets even if no set was won.

 

[mike danny]

Federer was so sharp though to me among his best USO matches. Really close match for 2 and a half sets even if no set was won.

Yep, sound performance. Only Djokovic's 2012 match against Delpo is on par with this.

 

[ElisRF]

Yep, sound performance. Only Djokovic's 2012 match against Delpo is on par with this.

Never saw that one.

 

[ElisRF]

Agassi 2004
Roddick 2007
Hewitt 2005
Djokovic 2008
Agassi 2005

Would be my top 5.

 

[mike danny]

Agassi 2004
Roddick 2007
Hewitt 2005
Djokovic 2008
Agassi 2005

Would be my top 5.

Fair enough

 

[NoleIsBoat]

Agassi 2004
Djokovic 2008
Djokovic 2007
Agassi 2005
Roddick 2006

 

[Nadal_Django]

Playing the "best tennis match" in a hurricane with wind speed as high as 60-65 km/h is kinda an oxymoron. Lol I don't think many people have actually seen that Agassi- Federer muggery of a match, tbh.

 

[Biotic]

Seeing 2008 Djokovic in Top 5 is extremely entertaining.

 

[mike danny]

Seeing 2008 Djokovic in Top 5 is extremely entertaining.

Why?

 

[Biotic]

Why?

1. In that other thread many agreed it was comparable to 2013 F Djokovic, which is comparable to 2005 F Agassi. You gave them 6.5 to 7, I gave them 6 to 6.5.

2. 2004-2008 Federer was supposed to have a stronger USO competition than 2011-2015 Djokovic, which obviously isn't the case.

3. People taking a dump over the years on Murray of 2012 - 2016 AO, who is very much comparable to those mentioned, suddenly look ridiculous.

4. Fed was very dominant ofc, but it seems like he was beaten by the first player who could play at 8+ over 5 sets, Del Potro.

 

[mike danny]

1. In that other thread many agreed it was comparable to 2013 F Djokovic, which is comparable to 2005 F Agassi. You gave them 6.5 to 7, I gave them 6 to 6.5.

2. 2004-2008 Federer was supposed to have a stronger USO competition than 2011-2015 Djokovic, which obviously isn't the case.

3. People taking a dump over the years at Murray of 2012 - 2016 AO, who is very much comparable to those mentioned, suddenly look ridiculous.

4. Fed was very dominant ofc, but it seems like he was beaten by the first player who could play at 8+ over 5 sets, Del Potro.

Can't win forever. The man had won 5 straight USO's.

As for stronger competition than 2011-2015 Djokovic, only 2011 and 2013 from Djokovic were stronger.

I see nothing wrong with 2008 Djokovic being in the top 5. We're talking about 5 years here, not an entire career.

 

[ElisRF]

1. In that other thread many agreed it was comparable to 2013 F Djokovic, which is comparable to 2005 F Agassi. You gave them 6.5 to 7, I gave them 6 to 6.5.

2. 2004-2008 Federer was supposed to have a stronger USO competition than 2011-2015 Djokovic, which obviously isn't the case.

3. People taking a dump over the years on Murray of 2012 - 2016 AO, who is very much comparable to those mentioned, suddenly look ridiculous.

4. Fed was very dominant ofc, but it seems like he was beaten by the first player who could play at 8+ over 5 sets, Del Potro.

3rd part is true somewhat but 2012/2013 Murray at AO gets a solid amount praise. Much of the rest of it is a massive generalisation.

 

[Biotic]

I see nothing wrong with 2008 Djokovic being in the top 5. We're talking about 5 years here, not an entire career.

I don't, too. But then I see a pile of dump on top of 2013 or 2015 AO Murray.

 

[mike danny]

I don't, too. But then I see a pile of dump on top of 2013 or 2015 AO Murray.

Well, 2015 AO Murray was worse than 2008 Djokovic definitely.

I always rated 2012 AO and 2013 AO Murray high.

My main gripe with him was that people claim a slam win over Murray is strong, while a slam win over Hewitt/Roddick is weak.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Seeing 2008 Djokovic in Top 5 is extremely entertaining.

It's in Djokovic's own top 5 USO best level runs so what's that surprising ha.
(2011, 2015, 2012/18, 2008/13)

 

[RS]

1. In that other thread many agreed it was comparable to 2013 F Djokovic, which is comparable to 2005 F Agassi. You gave them 6.5 to 7, I gave them 6 to 6.5.

2. 2004-2008 Federer was supposed to have a stronger USO competition than 2011-2015 Djokovic, which obviously isn't the case.

3. People taking a dump over the years on Murray of 2012 - 2016 AO, who is very much comparable to those mentioned, suddenly look ridiculous.

4. Fed was very dominant ofc, but it seems like he was beaten by the first player who could play at 8+ over 5 sets, Del Potro.

Seen people put Agassi of 2004 and Roddick of 2007 in that range.

 

[InsideOut900]

Well, 2015 AO Murray was worse than 2008 Djokovic definitely.

Wouldn't say it was a big difference between them.

Djoko didn't play as well as most people think he did in USO 08 SF. Capitulated in the 4th, was slightly dominated in the 3rd on top of playing a poor game at 5-5 to give the break away. Nothing too fancy that Murray wasn't doing in AO 15 F really. Both were standard 4 sets performances for the player that lost.

Fed did play a fantastic 1st set, so I find it hard to rate Djoko's level there, given how hard he was subdued.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Peak Fedr could've well beaten 09 usotro in str8s considering he served for a two-set lead as it is. The match continues to get overrated because Federer lost. Their RG encounter is underrated in contrast since Federer won, even though it was a better quality match and the one where Po could have hypothetically beaten a decent Fedr in straights even if he didn't muck up the breaker (or rather, if Fred mucked it up instead).

 

[Biotic]

It's in Djokovic's own top 5 USO best level runs so what's that surprising ha.
(2011, 2015, 2012/18, 2008/13)

But, but Djokomug 5th best level at USO where his muggery reached epic levels can't be worthy of Feddy's top level competition, no?

 

[Start da Game]

not a single match of noteworthy quality or opposition........his chief opponents just played dumb tennis playing right into his hands........particularly ******* and mugwitt........show me one guy who hit forehands like del potro and matched him rally to rally during 2004 - 2008........that's why he immediately lost in 2009.........

 

[PETEhammer]

Something like...

Top tier

Roddick 2007 QF
Agassi 2004 QF
Hewitt 2005 SF
Agassi 2005 F

Top-mid tier

Djokovic 2008 SF
Roddick 2006 F
Blake 2006 QF
Djokovic 2007 F
Andreev 2008 4R

Roddick who was straight setted, 6-2 in the third played a better match than Agassi who made it a 5 set battle in Hurricane like conditions?

 

[PETEhammer]

Blake 06, Roddick 07, Hewitt/Agassi 05 would probably be the next best after Agassi in 04. Then the other usual suspects like Roddick 06, Djokovic 07/08, Andreev 08, Kiefer in 05 bears mentioning.

Blake 06 was probably the best of *his* life, not sure Roger would say the same.

 

[mike danny]

Wouldn't say it was a big difference between them.

Djoko didn't play as well as most people think he did in USO 08 SF. Capitulated in the 4th, was slightly dominated in the 3rd on top of playing a poor game at 5-5 to give the break away. Nothing too fancy that Murray wasn't doing in AO 15 F really. Both were standard 4 sets performances for the player that lost.

Fed did play a fantastic 1st set, so I find it hard to rate Djoko's level there, given how hard he was subdued.

Hmmm, fair enough, but I consider 2008 Djokovic slightly better at least than 2006 Roddick for example. To me, 2006 Roddick was more on 2015 AO Murray's level.

 

[PETEhammer]

Please don't dishonor the memory of a great poster by calling him 60s weed. Call him Pete's dragon.

He is still with us in spirit.

 

[PETEhammer]

not a single match of noteworthy quality or opposition........his chief opponents just played dumb tennis playing right into his hands........particularly ******* and mugwitt........show me one guy who hit forehands like del potro and matched him rally to rally during 2004 - 2008........that's why he immediately lost in 2009.........

Amun-RAgassi had him on the ropes for a few sets in 2005 until he literally could not run or do more than waddle in pain.

 

[InsideOut900]

Hmmm, fair enough, but I consider 2008 Djokovic slightly better at least than 2006 Roddick for example. To me, 2006 Roddick was more on 2015 AO Murray's level.

Roddick was less consistent than the other two over 4 sets and returned poorly in 3/4 sets, but his level in the 2nd was quite high.

Djoko played a poor 4th set, I think he esentially tanked the match after losing the break, which puts his performance down a bit.

They are in the same ballpark if you ask me.
Djoko > Murray > Roddick for specifics, but minor differences.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

But, but Djokomug 5th best level at USO where his muggery reached epic levels can't be worthy of Feddy's top level competition, no?

Nice one. Obviously the notion Federer faced harder total comp at the USO is kind of absurd since Djokovic ended up being much more consistent and got to face all sorts of competition including peak Nadl and prime Fedr himself early on. However, neither really faced top ATG level - 2010 doll for Joe and 2011 Joe for Fedr being the only instances. Otherwise, all their opponents were manageable for at least a prime ATG, with difficulty but manageable. It was Djoko's own level that was the problem in 2012-14. Like 09 was Fedr's fault, too. So both should've been 6+time champs but Joe faltered more often hence is behind on this venue.

 

[Biotic]

Seen people put Agassi of 2004 and Roddick of 2007 in that range.

2004 maybe accounting for the wind, otherwise below Del Potro's. 2007 obviously not, 2 good sets won't win you any bo5 match.

 

[Third Serve]

The only ATG-level opponents Fed or Djokovic beat anyway were Agassi 04 (shame the wind f'd that one up) and Fed 11. Nadal has none lol

 

[RS]

The only ATG-level opponents Fed or Djokovic beat anyway were Agassi 04 (shame the wind f'd that one up) and Fed 11. Nadal has none lol

Leave Nadal alone lol.

 

[RS]

2004 maybe accounting for the wind, otherwise below Del Potro's. 2007 obviously not, 2 good sets won't win you any bo5 match.

Roddick played well in set 3 as well Federer was just too sharp. ATG level for certain.

 

[mike danny]

Roddick was less consistent than the other two over 4 sets and returned poorly in 3/4 sets, but his level in the 2nd was quite high.

Djoko played a poor 4th set, I think he esentially tanked the match after losing the break, which puts his performance down a bit.

They are in the same ballpark if you ask me.
Djoko > Murray > Roddick for specifics, but minor differences.

Fair enough.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Leave Nadal alone lol.

youzhny, gasquet, anderson, berrettini

 

[PETEhammer]

Roddick played well in set 3 as well Federer was just too sharp. ATG level for certain.

His level dropped imo much more than Federer's rising.

 

[Third Serve]

Leave Nadal alone lol.

'ts ok, I think 2010 Ned would have beaten both opponents mentioned anyway, strength of comp doesn't come into play unless you can firmly make the case that the player wouldn't have won with stronger competition in the way.

 

[Biotic]

Roddick played well in set 3 as well Federer was just too sharp. ATG level for certain.

Can't agree.