[Kowchi]

MTF loves to talk about the Big three whether its Federer owning Nadal in the past blah blah match ups or Nadal fans watching Federer shank backhands pre 2017 or Djokovic fans gloating about Match points vs. the old man... or Djokovic and Nadal fans forever bickering about which 5 setter or 4 setter in GS makes each guy better.

Alone, these three have produced amazing and epic matches that have spanned the test of time and tennis history. In fact if we could somehow list the 10 greatest matches of all time from 1950 - 2020 probably 5/10 matches would come from Nadal, Djokovic and Federer alone.

Of course there are hundreds of other players who exist in the tennis world and have reached great heights, but are forgotten or just ignored due to not being named "Big 3"

Maybe this question is impossible to answer , or doesn't have a good answer in the first place. But what are some great matchups and general matches that don't include a member of the big 3?

Any notable match ups and or matches that have been very good quality?

The floor is yours.

I will give my first one.

 

[Manu_ser]

Kei Nishikori vs. Milos Raonic was a good match up for a while.

David Ferrer and Radek Stepanek played several 5 setters but none of them can be found on youtube.

Also enjoyed Richard Gasquet vs. Nick Kyrgios, nice contrast.

 

[oshobiintro]

Nalby’s talent against his own laziness, astonishing rivalry, you can see they both want to burst out of his body, which is full of hamburgers, laziness wins 70-2(paris07 and madrid07)

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Nalbandian - Safin (USO 2006, Madrid 2006, RG 2004)
Safin - Agassi (AO 2004, Roland Garros 1998, Paris 1999)
Nalbandian - Hewitt (AO 2005, AO 2011)
Hewitt - Roddick (Wimbledon 2009, AO 2005, USO 2001, IW 2005)
Hewitt - Ferrero (TMC 2002, DC 2003, DC 2000, USO 2003, Rotterdam 2004)

 

[Manu_ser]

Sorry but Lleyton Hewitt vs. David Nalbandian was like watching Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic. My opinion.

 

[Manu_ser]

Nalby’s talent against his own laziness, astonishing rivalry, you can see they both want to burst out of his body, which is full of hamburgers, laziness wins 70-2(paris07 and madrid07)

Let's not forget he was a mental midget.

 

[NextGenKing]

Sorry but Lleyton Hewitt vs. David Nalbandian was like watching Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic. My opinion.

Yes agree...both epic

 

[NextGenKing]

Roddick v Hewitt
Murray v Wawrinka
Coria v Agassi
Safin v Hewitt
Roddick v Murray
Hewitt v Ferrer
Murray v Gasquet
Roddick v Grosjean

 

[Manu_ser]

Andy Murray against any big server was my guilty pleasure.

 

[guitarra]

I always liked Murray vs Wawrinka matchup. The nice contrarst of styles, quite close H2H and pretty much unknown outcome made it great.

 

[WeakestTennisEra]

Blake-Agassi 05
Wawrinka-Murray
Thiem-Del Potro

 

[Hunter2]

Matchups:
Hewitt-Agassi
Safin-Agassi
Sampras-Agassi
Nalbandian-Safin
Ferrero-Kuerten
Rafter-Agassi
Roddick-Hewitt

Matches:
Sampras vs Agassi AO 2000
Safin vs Kuerten Hamburg 2000
Kuerten vs Ferrero RG 2000
Rafter vs Agassi Wimbledon 2000 and 2001
Safin vs Philippoussis Paris Bercy 2000
Rafter vs Agassi AO 2001
Rafter vs Ivanisevic Wimbledon 2001
Sampras vs Agassi USO 2001
Hewitt vs Agassi San Jose 2002
Hewitt vs Schalken Wimbledon 2002
Hewitt vs Ferrero TMC 2002
Roddick vs El-Aynaoui AO 2003 as you already mentioned
Roddick vs Nalbandian USO 2003
Hewitt vs Ferrero Davis Cup 2003
Safin vs Roddick AO 2004
Safin vs Agassi AO 2004 (first three sets especially)
Roddick vs Johansson USO 2004
Hewitt vs Nalbandian AO 2005
Blake vs Agassi USO 2005
Nalbandian vs Safin USO 2006
Roddick vs Gasquet Wimbledon 2007
Gasquet vs Gonzalez AO 2009
Soderling vs Gonzalez RG 2009
Roddick vs Hewitt Wimbledon 2009

 

[UsD.AnDreS]

Kyrgios vs Brown is one of the sweetest match-ups on grass, unfortunately only happened once.

Plus, not that Nick's respect is something people are dying to earn, but I believe he reveres Dusty more than most. And I mean, who wouldn't? Got a clear identity as a player, is no-nonsense, plays exciting tennis, quietly goes about his business, great sportsmanship. Unfortunately, that he's only out there on our TV screens for like 3-4 weeks a year.