Though Rafael Nadal owns a 14-7 lifetime record against Roger Federer, it’s hard not to put their rivalry down as the best currently in the men’s game, but which rivalry is second? Roger Federer has dominated his head-to-head meetings with almost every other player on the tour, but here are some match-ups that could perhaps turn into something special.
ANDY MURRAY
Andy Murray does own the head-to-head edge over Federer, but in their two Grand Slam meetings, Murray was completely embarrassed, unable to take a single set. So, while Murray at one point was able to win four consecutive matches against Federer, three of which were at Masters 1000 level events, and while Murray did win their last meeting, just a week ago at the Rogers Cup final, I still don’t consider this a truly “epic” rivalry until Murray beats Federer on a Grand Slam stage.
Lifetime record: Murray 7, Federer 5
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO
Federer won the first five matches and twelve sets that he played against Juan Martin Del Potro. It was at the 2009 French Open that Del Potro started to turn things around by reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final and facing off against Federer. In that match, Del Potro claimed his first set against Federer and was up two sets to one. Federer was able to regain control and take the last two sets 6-1, 6-4, but the match instilled confidence in Del Potro- confidence that he could compete with Federer on the big stage. It was perhaps that confidence that helped Del Potro reach his first Grand Slam final at the 2009 US Open. In arguably the greatest comeback in Grand Slam final history, Del Potro fought back from being down a set and a break to dethrone the five-consecutive-year champ, 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2. Del Potro then finished off his dream season at the Barclays 2009 ATP World Tour Finals by beating Federer in three sets and making the final. If Del Potro can get healthy for this US Open, I like his chances against Federer and against anyone else for that matter. I also believe that the Federer-Del Potro rivalry will continue to be great and I’m very curious to see if Del Potro can extend his victories against Federer to clay and grass surfaces.
Lifetime record: Federer 6, Del Potro 2
TOMAS BERDYCH
In their first meeting at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Berdych defeated Federer 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. Federer then went on to prevail in their next eight matches, winning 18 out of 19 sets against the Czech. The first signs of Berdych coming into his own were at the 2009 Australian Open, where he jumped out to a two-sets-to- love lead against Federer. Federer was able to fight back and come out victorious in five sets, 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, but Berdych did show that he could compete with the best player on the big stage. So far in 2010, Berdych has finally made the leap to being one of the elite players in the game. In early March in Miami and in a prelude of what was to come, Berdych defeated Federer in an extremely hard fought, tight match, 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(6) in the round of 16. Berdych went on to make the final where he lost to Andy Roddick. Berdych continued his career year by advancing to his first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open, losing to Robin Soderling in five sets. It was at this past Wimbledon though, where Berdych really solidified his place as one of the best players in the game. The Czech faced off against the six-time Wimbledon Champion and arguably the greatest grass court player of all time in the quarterfinals. After splitting the first two sets, Berdych dominated Feds in the third and then went on to win in four sets, , 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Before the loss, Federer had competed in the last seven Wimbledon finals, six of which he won. Berdych went on to make his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, losing to Rafael Nadal. Just last week in Toronto, Federer got revenge on Berdych and took him out in a 3rd set tie breaker. This match-up has all the makings of greatness for years to come, especially because both players are great on all surfaces.
Lifetime record: Federer 9, Berdych 3
DAVID NALBANDIAN
The biggest enigma in the men’s tennis game is David Nalbandian. How could a guy who has been a “giant-killer” all of his career, and has beaten Roger Federer eight times, not won a Grand Slam title. Well it doesn’t help that Nalbandian has sat out the last six Grand Slams. Nalbandian won his first five meetings Federer, but that was before Federer’s reign of dominance. Federer then went on to win the next eight out of nine matches between the two. They have split their last four meetings, but coming off his great play in Washington, D.C. where Nalbandian won his first title on US soil, it would be very interesting if these two heavyweights met in New York.
Lifetime record: Federer 10, Nalbandian 8
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