And here is why.
1. Their clay H2H since 2011 is 6-5 in No1e's favor, including unfair RG matches (see below).
2. Both won 6 clay masters.
3. The only advantage Nadal has is obviously on RG, where not Nadal but outside factors and luck prevented No1e from winning:
2011 - tandem Fognini/GOATerer. Nole was overdue for a loss, Fognini threw him out of rhythm and lucky Federer in GOAT mode managed to beat rusty No1e by two points in two TBs, only to disappear in the final vs Nadal.
2012 - unlucky bad start, rain, and Nadal bullying the umpire to stop the match after losing 8 games in a row.
2013 - Pascal Maria's robbery stole the RG title from No1e.
2014 - No1e was sick with stomach flu and was not able to sustain the required level after winning the first set.
So in a fair and square matches No1e would win at least 2 and probably 3, out of 4, 2011-2014 RG matches vs Nadal.
And of course 2015 - utter and total destruction of Nadal. :bigclap:
The only logical conclusion is that No1e is by far better claycourt player since 2011.
Please discuss.
1. Their clay H2H since 2011 is 6-5 in No1e's favor, including unfair RG matches (see below).
2. Both won 6 clay masters.
3. The only advantage Nadal has is obviously on RG, where not Nadal but outside factors and luck prevented No1e from winning:
2011 - tandem Fognini/GOATerer. Nole was overdue for a loss, Fognini threw him out of rhythm and lucky Federer in GOAT mode managed to beat rusty No1e by two points in two TBs, only to disappear in the final vs Nadal.
2012 - unlucky bad start, rain, and Nadal bullying the umpire to stop the match after losing 8 games in a row.
2013 - Pascal Maria's robbery stole the RG title from No1e.
2014 - No1e was sick with stomach flu and was not able to sustain the required level after winning the first set.
So in a fair and square matches No1e would win at least 2 and probably 3, out of 4, 2011-2014 RG matches vs Nadal.
And of course 2015 - utter and total destruction of Nadal. :bigclap:
The only logical conclusion is that No1e is by far better claycourt player since 2011.
Please discuss.