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12/22/11 4:37 AM | Ricky Dimon
The Tennistalk panel has spoken and is ready to announce its best match of 2011. It is none other than Novak Djokovic’s first loss of the season, to Roger Federer in the French Open semifinals.
1) French Open semifinals: Roger Federer d. Novak Djokovic 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5)
Novak Djokovic was 41-0 to begin the season heading into the French Open semifinals. The Serb had won the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid, and Rome, beating Rafael Nadal four times in finals--including twice on clay.
Djokovic looked invincible; only a performance for the ages would be able to topple him. Such a performance was delivered by Roger Federer on the second Friday at Roland Garros, yet--still--Djokovic almost stayed perfect.
A massive 70-minute opening set featured mesmerizing tennis. Both players recorded far more winners than errors, a commendable feat considering the surface (clay), the caliber of defense on each side of the net, and that rallies of such length often conclude with tired mistakes. Djokovic erased an immediate break deficit, Federer recovered from a break down midway through the set, and a tiebreaker eventually had to decide it. The Swiss won an epic rally at 1-1 and took the opening frame of play at 6-5 when Djokovic netted a forehand.
Sets two and three went in quicker fashion. Djokovic fell apart mentally in the second only to battle back and resemble the Djokovic of 2011's first five months in the third. That set the stage for another dramatic set, as the fourth--to the delight of the crowd--invoked memories of the first.
Djokovic seemed on the verge of taking it to a fifth when he seized a break for 5-4. Not to be denied, however, Federer broke right back and soon found himself two points from victory on multiple occasions at 6-5. This time it was Djokovic's turn to withstand the pressure moments, and he managed to hold to force another tiebreaker. After building a slight 6-5 advantage with the match on his racket, Federer fired a perfect ace down the 'T' and flashed a victorious "No. 1" sign with his finger. No, Federer was not No. 1 himself, but this was the No. 1 match of the season.
"The first set was monstrous," Federer said. "In the second set we were both tired because the pace was unbelievable. I thought it was played at a very high level for a very long time. I would think it is the best match I played this year. There was a lot of pressure on Novak but he handled it great. It was a pleasure playing against him. It almost feels like I've won the tournament, which is not the case."
"I think I played well, but he played really well at the important moments," Djokovic explained. "I congratulate him for a great performance. We were, I think, part of a very good match."
Yes, the best of the year to be exact.
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Great choice. A great match indeed.
And some people say djokovic was playing subpar tennis. lol
bleck , 12/22/11 10:05 AM
I would go for Nadal/Isner, RG 1st round.
nadline , 12/22/11 10:13 AM
You should watch the whole match instead of only the highlights. In no way was Nole as good as when he was at Madrid and Rome. Don't let how Fed played cloud one's judgement. I think Nole played better at the third to fifth sets of the USO semifinal, though Fed wasnt playing as well at the USO SF compared to his FO SF.
luckystar , 12/22/11 10:28 AM
Great match, great choice.
Ramara , 12/22/11 2:54 PM
" In no way was Nole as good as when he was at Madrid and Rome"
No, his level of play at the french wasn't much different to his level at madrid and rome, Federer was simply too good in that match.
tj600 , 12/22/11 3:47 PM
That match was brilliant from Federer. All he did all match long was smack lines. A worthy choice.
cherylmurray , 12/22/11 5:38 PM
Yes! An understandibly outstanding selection for best match of 2011!! Thanks for recognizing it!!!! Colorado USA
Vitality , 12/22/11 7:54 PM
A difference of opinion I must say, as Fed was obviously at his best but to me Nole wasn't. In fact Nole wasn't playing well the whole of FO IMO. It seemed to me that physical and mental fatigue and pressure had caught up with him, that might explain why he skipped Queen's to rest and get ready for Wimbledon. However that didn't take anything away from Fed and this together with the FO final were two of Fed's best matches on clay against Nole/Rafa other than that Rome 2006 final.
I also agree that this was the match of the year of 2011.
luckystar , 12/23/11 11:06 AM
That was a great match,high quality throughout.
stratocast51 , 12/23/11 6:15 PM
aside from the 2nd set (mental walkabout)
RickyDimon , 12/24/11 1:49 AM
The best match of the year is the semi at USO between Fed and Novak. Period.
pennster , 12/24/11 5:01 AM
Not even close! The best match was Novak d.Roger in USO semis.
pro59 , 12/24/11 7:27 AM
pennster, pro59, luckystar and all tennis followers ( except nadal blind worshipers) can all agree that the best match (or 2 best matches) of the year were between Roger and djokovic (no nadal here).
And to think I've heard some people find Roger's tennis boring. Well I guess there are tastes for everything...
bleck , 12/24/11 10:34 AM
FO semi hardly the best match of the year...Nole and Fed dropping serves how many times in the first set?! They were both nervous and playing some lousy tennis...Nole was nowhere near his form from Madrid and Rome...The USO semis was much better and more interesting...except that Fed made a fool of himself losing that match, but again, all credit goes to Nole who was brave and brilliant...
and yes, Rafa does not make any of these "best matches" simply because he was not up to the task when it comes to Nole...Nole was simply better than Rafa in all those finals, mentally stronger and more confident...Rafa was nowhere near his best in his FO final...and yet again he defeated Fed fairly easy...FO semi was outstanding just because Fed was able to end Nole's streak but the game itself was not worth being named the "match of the year"...I completely disagree with Ricky on this one...
natashao , 12/24/11 11:13 AM
It was the best match as far as the result was concerned. I have never been so happy after a Fed win. I did not want another Nole Rafa showdown cz deep down I knew what the result would be.
And the result was completely unexpected. I did not expect Roger to take down Nole who was steamrollng everyone and that too on clay. And when Roger won, I knew deep down what the result is going to be :)
vmk1 , 12/24/11 2:12 PM
The best match was Rafa vs Isner, FO 1st rund and I have 20/20 vision. Lol
nadline , 12/24/11 2:29 PM
Runner up for 2011 is Nadal vs Delpo, DC final.
nadline , 12/24/11 2:33 PM
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highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEWkqP6Zang
RickyDimon , 12/22/11 4:51 AM