[masterclass]

Rank RAFA's top 10 (or as many as you want) match performances (can be in any round, but consider the opponent's play as well), AND... which matches he coulda, shoulda won, but didn't.

Finally, Poll Question: who is the 3rd best AO player in this century, so far?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[CommissarSJ]

AO 2014 SF
AO 2012 SF

 

[Phillo]

That embrace though 😘

 

[masterclass]

1. 2017 SF vs Dimitrov. - Grigor was playing his best tennis, but somehow RAFA shut the door.
2. 2009 SF vs Verdasco. - Verdasco was playing like a God, and RAFA mentally turned him into Fiasco.
3. 2009 F vs. Federer - RAFA hung in there and made Roger cry
4. 2012 F vs. Djokovic - The most attritional match I ever saw. It made me want to run court-side and give them both magic potions to keep it going. It was on RAFA's racquet, but sailed wide (shoulda).
5. 2014 R16 vs. Nishikori - RAFA out-toughed prime Kei in tiebreakers for a straight set win.
6. 2019 SF vs. Tsitsipas - RAFA's demolition of the Greek was shocking.
7. 2017 F vs. Federer - RAFA had his chances. Took a Jesus-Fed performance to beat him in the last 5 games. (coulda)
8. 2014 SF vs Federer - RAFA straight-setted Roger. Notable for being the last time RAFA beat Roger off clay.
9. 2009 R32 vs Tommy Haas - RAFA's serving performance was incredible (about 80% 1st and 2nd serves) on his way to straight-setting the German.
10. 2020 QF vs. Thiem - RAFA lost 3 heart-breaking tiebreakers to the Austrian after taking 2 against Nick Kygrios in the previous round.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[guitarra]

I quite agree with your list @masterclass maybe only I would put 2017 vs Dimi slightly lower in 3rd or 4th position.

 

[FedererIsTheGOAT]

Nadal's best top7 matches at AO:

Vs Federer 2017
vs Dimitrov 2017
Vs Zverev 2017
Vs Monfils 2017
Vs Raonic 2017
Vs Baghdatis 2017
Vs Mayer 2017

 

[swissmaestro92]

Nadal's best top7 matches at AO:

Vs Federer 2017
vs Dimitrov 2017
Vs Zverev 2017
Vs Monfils 2017
Vs Raonic 2017
Vs Baghdatis 2017
Vs Mayer 2017

well it certainly was for us Fed fans all I can say is that he was phenomenal in 2009

 

[RocketMan70]

Agassi, and by quite some margin.
He was very dominant down here late in his career, and never looked like losing.

 

[El_Toro]

Agassi, and by quite some margin.
He was very dominant down here late in his career, and never looked like losing.

Maybe because he never faced Fedole?

 

[RocketMan70]

Maybe because he never faced Fedole?

Well he outlasted Sampras, at least in Melbourne.

 

[Kowchi]

1) Vs. Verdasco - Verdasco would have beaten anyone else on the court that day.
2) Vs. Federer 2009

 

[El_Toro]

Well he outlasted Sampras, at least in Melbourne.

Sampras has just 1 more AO title than Rafa.

 

[masterclass]

I quite agree with your list @masterclass maybe only I would put 2017 vs Dimi slightly lower in 3rd or 4th position.

Yes, maybe in pure quality of play terms, but I was factoring in Rafa being 30+ in 2017, compared to 22+ in 2009.
But it is a valid point.

Kind Regards,
masterclass

 

[guitarra]

Yes, maybe in pure quality of play terms, but I was factoring in Rafa being 30+ in 2017, compared to 22+ in 2009.
But it is a valid point.

Kind Regards,
masterclass

Yeah, crazy that it's been over 4 years since Rafa is over 30. How time flies....

I also think it's a valid point that Rafa might be the 3rd greatest AO player in this century. Or at least 3rd shared with Agassi. Bearing in mind how many finals he made on top of his win in 2009.

Additionally I really think he could/should have won that 2012 final. If only not for that missed easy BH put away.