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12/20/11 5:14 PM | Ricky Dimon
Tennistalk continues its countdown of the best matches of the year with numbers two and three. Part 4 features consecutive U.S. Open victories by Novak Djokovic over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
3) U.S. Open final: Novak Djokovic d. Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1
How can it be that a match lasting just four sets with only a single set being particularly competitive go down as one of the best matches of the year? Anyone who witnessed the third set of the U.S. Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal knows the answer. It was without question one of the best sets of tennis ever played.
The set required one hour and 24 minutes to be decided. In that one hour and 24 minutes, Nadal committed only eight unforced errors, struck 13 winners, hit two aces without double-faulting, and served at 65 percent. Even so, he found himself down breaks on three different occasions and had to seal the deal in a tiebreaker. Especially unbelievable points, indicative of the whole set, came at 2-2, ad-out; 3-4, ad-out; 6-5, 15-15; and at 5-3 in the tiebreaker (see highlights link in comments section). Of course, in the end Djokovic again simply had too much for Nadal.
"It was a tough match; physical, mental, everything," Nadal assured. "I think it was a quality match. I am happy with a lot of things, much happier than the previous matches against him. In general I think he did great, no?"
"Against Rafa you have to be aggressive," Djokovic explained. "You know, you have to try to go for winners because he's the fittest player around. He's an incredible defender…. I think I've played a great match really from the start to the end. When you play that well, you must enjoy."
2) U.S. Open semifinals: Novak Djokovic d. Roger Federer 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5
Stop me if you've heard this one before: U.S. Open semifinals; Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer; Djokovic comes from behind, saves two match points with gutsy play, then wins 7-5 in the fifth…. Yep, it happened in 2010 and it was deja vu in 2011. This time, though, the match points came on Federer's serve and—unlike last season—Djokovic went on to win the whole thing.
Federer seemingly had this one all wrapped up, first when he led two sets to love and again with victory on his racket at 5-3, 40-15 in the decider. But Djokovic came up with the shot of the year—a forehand return winner off a first serve—to stay alive and saved one more match point when Federer missed a forehand off the net cord. Just minutes later, it was the top-ranked Serb left standing in the winner’s circle. This one had it all: five sets, incredible rallies, match-point drama, and of course a little bit of controversy.
"That's why we all watch sports, isn't it," Federer said. "Because we don't know the outcome and everybody has a chance, and until the very moment it can still turn. That's what we love about the sport, but it's also very cruel and tough sometimes. It got me today."
"It was incredible last two games," Djokovic reflected. "It's probably, under the circumstances, the greatest victory I had in 2011. When he's a set or two sets up, he doesn't let you win. But I managed to play better, to switch gears, and I managed to play two incredible sets: third and fourth. Then I felt it's the moment. You know, it's the moment when I should step in and show what I got."
When asked if the forehand return at 40-15 was the best shot he has ever hit, Djokovic replied, "Under the circumstances, maybe…yes."
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Djokovic vs. Federer:
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXNc_iMkSIY
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEKqVK8Fvek
RickyDimon , 12/20/11 5:55 PM
Thanks Ricky ... for all these. The links are great too.
smr , 12/20/11 7:27 PM
Still can't believe that return on match point!!!
Djokovic did the same thing at setpoint in the second set, swing freely when returning and the ball dumped very low in the net.... at matchpoint it worked and it became the shot of the tournament! It's about these little things, that shows what wave of confidence and momentum Djokovic was riding. Still the shot was a bit lucky... he could also hit it in the net or metres wide or long.
Bonker , 12/20/11 10:30 PM
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Djokovic vs. Nadal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7l2as69eYg&feature=related
RickyDimon , 12/20/11 5:35 PM