The man needs no introduction, but I am going to give him one anyway. He is the greatest ever tennis player to ever grace the courts of Wimbledon, the 20 times Grand Slam winner from Switzerland has a flamboyant style of tennis that even the most hard nosed Rafa Nadal supporters have to admire. Known far and wide of the perimeter of tennis Federer is considered the Greatest tennis player the world has ever seen. Other achievements include advancing to a record 30 Grand Slam finals including 10 in a row and is just two shy of winning 100 ATP titles. At the age of 37 he is still going strong and has a chance of adding to his many all time records.
With all that now stated lets focus on the meat and bones of this article by covering Federer's Greatest Ever Comebacks from 2 sets down in his entire professional tennis career which now spans 20 years (can you believe he is still playing!). I have chosen a top 5 not just from memory but from watching all his previous comebacks from 2 sets down. I have tried to rank these comebacks in terms of the calibre of each opponent and the level of tennis they were playing when they went 2 sets up against him, thus reflecting the challenge he faced to over turn each.
It's always astonishing to witness a comeback from 2 sets down in tennis, it's a long way back for a player and it's easier to just cave in both physically and mentally, even when your an all time great like Federer. These comebacks show he isn't all about style and winning by show boating, sometimes even the greatest of the great need to get down in the mud and wrestle with their opponents to earn their victories, that's a sign of a true champion! Here's five times Federer did just that...
5. vs Tomas Berdych: R16: Australian Open: 2009
Score: 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
This match was particularly surprising for Federer fans because he had won the last 7 meetings with Czech Tomas Berdych. Fans could see from the start there were hints of him having an off day on court, he dropped the first game of the first set and was broken again to go down 1-4 in games. Federer immediately broke back much to the joy of the crowd who probably now thought he had woken up as he then held to make it 3-4. But there was still an air of confidence about Berdych as he held serve with conviction to make it 5-3. Much to the bewilderment Federer could not break back a second time against Berdych who held his last service game to seal the set.
With the second set being a little less lackadaisical from Federer there was just a break of serve either way that lead to a tie break where you felt Berdych was going to snatch the set. At 3-3 in the tie break many would have thought Federer would get ahead but Berdych hit 3 winners in 4 points taking the second set tie break 7-4! He never let Federer get ahead. Federer had not dropped a set in his 3 previous matches before facing Berdych so fans were scratching their heads at this performance with some worried faces being ever so apparent at this point now. There was a real chance he could crash out 3-0 here.
The Comeback
With any comeback you need a stroke of fortune at some point along the way, you cannot play an entire game of tennis coming back from 2 sets down and expect your comeback to be perfectly lined with winners and points that you win yourself. This was very true when it came to 3-3 in the third set with Berdych on serve where he unbelievably gifted Federer the break of serve by missing 3 volleys at the net as well as a couple of regular forehands - one volley was not even close to landing in. That game was so against the run of play it was an impossibility to imagine given all Berdych's previous games where he hit the ball so confidently. The break of serve seemed to jolt Federer to life as the Swiss took advantage of the errors from Berdych to comfortably serve out and solidify the break and then the set to make it 1-2, the comeback was on!
Federer broke early in the fourth set too and no matter how much Berdych tried he just couldn't over turn the break. He wasn't playing bad tennis, still holding the rest of his service games but it was almost like that twist of fate in the third set now meant he was to be denied his victory against Federer, even with a fifth set still to play. Federer won the third 6-4 setting up a Grand Finale.
In the fifth Berdych was in full melt down mode almost as if he had thrown the towel in on the match. He was broken twice by Federer on his first 2 service games and it was clear to see he was a down and out man. Federer went on to seal that set 6-2 and take the match. Berdych's opportunity to win the match was at 3-3 in the third set when he produced a series of stinkers at the net - that's where he lost and Federer won the match!
Federer would advance to the Australian Open final where he would loose to Nadal 2-3 in a topsy turvy match that could have gone either way.
Watch: Full Highlights of the Comeback vs Berdych: R16: 2009 Australian Open
4. vs Gael Monfils: Quarter Finals: US Open: 2014
Score: 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2
Having come so close yet lost in both the Australian Open (Semi Finals to Rafa Nadal 3-0) and Wimbledon (Final to Djokovic 3-2) the same year Federer would have been even more hungry to claim the US Open title.
Yet going down two sets to Gael Monfils in the Quarter Finals it looked like he was going to be out of luck once again. Coming back from two sets down to Monfils is not the easiest of deficits to overcome, more so than Berdych. Although Tomas Berdych has had a more illustrious career than Monfils, Monfils is the superior athlete and has the gas to last twice as long as Berdych. So conceding two sets against him would mean you'd be up against it to claw your way back without one hell of a physical fight.
The Comeback
Federer managed to regain his focus just in time in the third set as he played a resilient game whereby first going 2-0 up before dropping his own serve. Thankfully he broke again in the fourth game of the set before this time solidifying the break with a hold of serve. His net play came alive as he looked to squeeze Monfils and apply additional pressure to great effect leading to a 6-4 third set to Federer.
Unlike with the Berdych match though it wasn't so plain sailing from after he got a set back. Federer had to still snatch victory from inside the jaws of defeat saving two match points in the fourth set meaning his comeback wasn't so clean or as decisive! See even the Swiss Maestro himself dances with danger on the odd occasion.
One could argue that Monfils threw away his opportunity here in the fourth but actually on his two match points it was Federer that saved them through his own pure conviction looking to snuff out the danger with more aggressive tennis rather than Monfils spurning the points.
So yes Monfils played two sets of brilliant measured tennis - something we are not use to seeing - he usually plays the complete opposite. He earned himself two break points and therefore two match points at 4-5 in the fourth set but Federer defended them with sheer will and from the belief that he could take the match to a fifth set. His successful defense of the two match points clearly got to Monfils in the next game on serve as he made two double faults in a row to gift Federer the break for 6-5 which he capitalised on with another hold of serve to take the set.
As with the final set vs Berdych, there was only going to be one winner from here on. Federer dominated the fifth set with two breaks of serve including the first game of the set. After Monfils conceded the first game there was no going back, he struggled to produce a meaningful fight against Federer who only dropped two points the entire set on serve. This sealed yet another dramatic comeback for Federer. Who would have thought at 0-2 in sets and two match points to save he would turn this one around?
Sadly just like against Berdych despite Federer's super comeback against Monfils he would still bow out of the tournament losing in straight sets to Marin Cilic in the Semi Finals. But don't worry we have more comebacks to come so maybe one of the Swiss Superstar's matches actually meant more than just a single day of heroics...
Watch: Full Highlights of the Comeback vs Monfils: QF: 2014 US Open
3. vs Del Potro: Quarter Finals: French Open: 2012
Score: 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-0, 6-3
It remains to be seen whether we will ever see Roger Federer compete again in another French Open, clay is just not his thing, it never has been plus he has won the French Open once back in 2009 which it seems is enough to satisfy his hunger for the surface. But over the 7 times he has played at Roland Garros nothing quiet matches his 2012 comeback against Juan Martin Del Potro aka 'The Tower' where he came charging back in full force from a 3-6, 6-7 deficit to thunder past the Argentinian 6-2, 6-0, 6-3. It's probably his most dominant three sets of tennis he has played against him. Yet he did have a large stroke of fortune from his opponents deteriorating knee injury which was increasingly apparent as the match went on.
Del Potro had taken the first set in comfortable fashion managing to build momentum from an early break of serve and clearly getting into a rhythm with his game with some big forehand hitting and of course with a serve that lands him many cheap points in matches. The key break of serve came early as Del Potro looked to press Federer using his ultra powerful flat forehand which brought an error from Federer's backhand. It was first blood to The Tower.
It was very much a game of cat and mouse in the second set with both players giving away a service game a piece. Federer broke first before Del Potro countered straight away in the next game. Federer had three more chances in the 9th game to break again but couldn't capitalise. A tie break beckoned and it felt like this set could decide the match. If Del Potro was to win the tie break he would surely go on to clinch victory for the first time in 5 matches vs Federer. Del Potro fired ahead 1-4 in the tie break going a mini break up with a storming forehand which Federer could get near. Federer was unable to recover the 3 point deficit and Del Potro looked on course for the Semi Finals.
The Comeback
The third set saw Federer's luck turn but unlike the previous 2 matches where it was an opponent spurning chances this time it was a knee injury to Del Potro that prohibited his movement at crucial times and this is why this comeback is third on the list and not second.
Come the third set you could see Del Potro's movement was not as sharp and this along with Federer upping his own game lead to a swing in momentum the Swiss's way. Federer took the early break in the third set on the second game where Del Potro double faulted. Even with Federer now 3-0 up and Del Potro's knee strapped the Tower was still pushing the Swiss star with some heavy hitting off both the forehand and backhand and forcing Federer to deuce at 3-1. He was not going to go away in this set without a fight. Del Potro could sense it was his only realistic chance of stopping Federer coming back with his knee likely to deteriorate further in the fourth set. But when it came to 5-2 in the set Del Potro caved. You could clearly see his movement and his spirit were both crumbling. He collapsed on serve losing it in straight points.
The fourth set saw Del Potro struggle to keep up with the pace of Federer, his knee was clearly giving him big problems and for every point that went beyond a one two exchange he was loosing. Going for the big shots in a desperate attempt to hold serve quickly Del Potro spurned a couple of big forehands as he was repeatedly broken. He gave the fourth set his all physically but with a surging Federer all he could do is watch countless balls fly past him as he nursed his knee. He lost this set in straight games and from here on there was only ever going to be one winner...
Whether the fifth set had a feel of inevitability about it or not Del Potro was still trying to give the match his all and even managed to get a break point opportunity in the first game. But it seemed at the key moment his movement again impeding him as he struggled to deal with the low short ball. Again getting a second break point on the Federer serve you could see Del Potro was desperate to try make a go of this final set but Federer was not in a forgiving mood making Del Potro move wildly around the court from side to side to chase down his break point chance with a look of inevitability written across his jaded face. That was the last chance he would get in the set.
In the fourth game of the fifth set Federer struck with a clinical forehand down the line from a sliced backhand of Del Potro's. It was on break point and served as a deadly blow to Del Potro who had done well to keep on serve. That would be the last we would see of the threat of the Tower in this match. Del Potro managed to make the final set look respectable holding serve another two times but it was Federer who would prove triumphant in a fine comeback against a player hitting with incredible force and who still had to be respected even whilst playing with an aggravated knee!
Amazingly again Federer's comeback was all in vain because in the Final he lost to Novak Djokovic 3-0. Poor Federer, it seems his great comebacks have not been enough in tournaments to spur him on to finish the job in a final yet.
*Did you know? On the previous occassion Federer faced Del Potro at the French back in 2009 he also beat him 3-2 but in the Semi Finals instead. But it wasn't a comeback from 2 sets down, he was 2-1 up and he managed to beat Del Potro 3-2. Nevertheless he went on to win his only ever French Open title beating Sweden's Robin Soderling in the final in straight sets. Lucky for Federer Soderling had pummelled Nadal in the fourth round 3-1 meaning Federer had an easy opponent to deal with.
Watch: Full Highlights of the Comeback vs Del Potro: QF: 2012 French Open
2. vs Marin Cilic: Quarter Finals: Wimbledon: 2016
Score: 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
Seems like as we go down the list not only does the opponent get tougher on paper but the fight back becomes more dramatic and desperate! This time Federer had to save 3 break points at 2 sets down and 3-3 in games against Cilic. If Cilic had taken this game he would have most probably taken the match having 3 sets to 0. Instead Federer held on and then broke Cilic at the first time of asking in the third. Then in the fourth set Federer flirted with the exit once more on 3 occasions saving 3 match points over 3 games. This is probably one of those matches Cilic still remembers very painfully. To have 3 match points over 3 games against Federer in a QF, almost tasting victory and yet to loose the match would be a bitter pill to swallow.
First Set: Cilic Runs Away with the Tie Break
Rewinding to the first set, it was an even one unlike the three previous matches covered. A tight opening set came down to a tie break that Cilic ran away with 0-5. Federer managed to claw it back to 4-6 but it was too little too late, he again lost his serve and the set. Cilic deserved the tie break, he was more positive hitting aggressive forehands that forced the errors from Federer in addition to hitting some thunderous serves.
Second Set: Fed-Ex Hangover
The second set seemed like a hangover for Federer from loosing the first. On the second service game of asking he dropped served and apart from having one break point chance in the next game he was unable to produce anymore opportunities to claw the game back in the set. Cilic looked the more composed of the two, the more aggressive when it counted and unbreakable on his serve. If this was to be a comeback for Federer it was going to take a very special effort because Cilic looked cool, calm and collected. Also history was also on Cilic's side with the last Grand Slam meeting coming less than 2 years earlier where Cilic had beaten Federer in straight sets in the final of the US Open (2014). The Croat looked on course to repeat that result and claim yet another famous victory over the then 7 time Wimbledon champion.
The Comeback
Third Set: More Pain Before the Gain
In the third set the pivotal point came in the seventh game where it was pretty much make or break for Federer. With Federer on serve at 3-3, one thunderous forehand from Cilic and a sublime pass at the net plus a Federer error on a drop shot attempt and suddenly he found himself love 40 down giving Cilic 3 chances to break him in what would have been game set and match at that point for me. Cilic's only true break point chance was the first one where he spurned a backhand into the net from deep. After that the other two breaks got swept away from him like they were never there with a cleverly played aggressive point by Federer and then a big kick serve out wide to Cilic's backhand.
After Federer held you could see Cilic was the one feeling the hangover from the 'What If' moments he had just had. On serve Cilic then spurned a couple of backhands into the net. Then Federer produced a stunning return from what seemed a guaranteed ace by Cilic setting up break point. Cilic then choked on his next serve double faulting to gift Federer 3-5 and virtually the set which he took in the next game 40-30. Cilic like Monfils had done the hard work for Federer on break point.
Fourth Set: Drama Galore as Cilic Fails to Convert 3 Match Points
The fourth set was to prove even more dramatic than the third. Federer and Cilic exchanged break point opportunities on serve in the fourth and fifth game. What was more miraculous was the pattern of play for both Federer and Cilic was a mirror image. Federer and then Cilic went 0:15, 15:15, 15:30, 15:40BP, 30:40BP, 40:40, A:40 on serve with both players managing to save their serve from two break points down.
Then more drama ensued where in the 9th and 11th game Cilic failed to convert match points.
1st Match Point for Cilic in the 4-5 to Cilic in Games: Cilic had earned his first match point with an unstoppable backhand drive down the line in the 9th game which saw Federer desperately sliding for in vain. It looked curtains for Federer here especially with his first serve going into the net. His second serve was well read by Cilic and here was an opportunity to press deep with his forehand to trouble Federer. But Cilic spurned his chance hitting his forehand long of the mark. He didn't get another look in this game of the fourth set.
2nd Match Point at 5-6 to Cilic in Games: His second match point may as well not have come his way in the 11th game. Federer made no mistake this time about snuffing it out with an Ace out wide.
3rd Match Point for Cilic in Tie Break at 6-7: Federer had 2 set points that Cilic saved in the tie break before getting his third Match Point Opportunity. Cilic had done so well to stave off a 6-4 Federer tie break lead with a reflexive return that forced an approach error from Federer as he spurned his forehand way long, before Cilic then reigned down a pair of big first serves to create his third Match Point. Again this match point gave Cilic a look at Federer's second serve, surely this time he was going to capitalise? Amazingly the same play happened as the first match point, Cilic anticipating the serve was set with a forehand which he screwed up again, this time hitting it into the middle of the net. Where as before he looked composed after missing the first match point, you could see his third match point opportunity going a miss was getting to him now with frustration clearly showing across his face.
Federer was to take another 3 set points before he sealed the tie break 11-9 setting up yet another comeback finale.
Fifth Set: Federer Edges Cilic Towards the End
In all fairness to Cilic it would have been easy for him to just go away in this set and gift it to Federer early on as happened with Federer's vs Berdych and vs Monfils. But instead he came out swinging taking Federer to 4-3 on serve before loosing to give Federer the opportunity to serve for the match which he took in his stride. This was another tightly fought set of tennis with Cilic just not having enough left in the tank to keep up his consistency towards the end of the match. He had his opportunities in the third and fourth sets and the fifth set was to be Federer's to own along with the match.
This match was a much harder comeback for Federer than the the previous three and was Federers Greatest Ever Grand Slam comeback from 2 sets down. Cilic never went away and create three match points, two of which he had real chances to convert. He was a little unlucky not to win with his first match point forehand not missing the mark by much. He'd have been kicking himself after the match where as Federer would have been wondering how he managed to pull off yet another seemingly impossible comeback!
Unfortunately again Federer went on to loose in the Semi Finals of Wimbledon to Milos Raonic 2-3 in sets.
Watch: The Full Match of the Comeback vs Cilic: QF: 2016 Wimbledon
And now we come to Roger Federer's greatest ever comeback from 2 sets down in his entire career. I know what your thinking at this moment, it's got to be vs Nadal right in a Grand Slam event? Well you would be right about the first part but wrong about the second. Federer actually came back from 2 sets down vs Nadal way back in 2005 at the Miami Masters Final when at the time this was just their second meeting! This was when ATP masters events finals were best of 5 sets rather than best of 3.
That change from 3 to 5 sets for the final happened in 2005. So Fed fans in Miami were lucky enough to witness a comeback that would have never happened had the rules not been changed that year as Nadal won the first 2 sets!
1.vs Rafa Nadal: Final: Miami Masters: 2005
At the age of 18 and facing a 23 year old World Number 1 Roger Federer in Miami, Rafa Nadal had already was raring to go. He had already reached 9 ATP Tour finals of which he had won 5.
Nadal was no newcomer to success and had already beaten a 22 year old Federer at the age of 17 the year before in their first ever meeting in the same tournament winning 6-3, 6-3. In that match Nadal played an outstanding 2 sets of tennis against a Federer feeling the strain of illness, nevertheless it was a shock result for all to behold.
Watch: Nadal's First Ever Match vs Federer in Miami 2004 Where he Shocks the World
Bearing in mind Nadal was just 17 at the time and Federer at the age of 22 was World Number 1 this was an incredible game of tennis by Nadal. He looked as good at 17 as he does today.
Fast forward 1 year later and how fitting it was that their next meeting would be in the final of the same event just as the event final changed from best of 3 sets to best of 5. This fortunate change in the rules allowed Federer to escape defeat against his new Spanish rival and even the score at 1-1.
But it wasn't just a simple straight sets victory against Nadal, the Spanish teenager had dominated and bullied Federer in the first two sets going ahead 2-6, 6-7 plus flying high in the third and what looked to be final set. If there ever was a match when Federer was 2 sets down and looked clearly on his way out it was this one for sure.
First Set Dominance for Nadal
Incredibly in the first game of the first set Nadal was already showing he meant business with Federer on court breaking the 4 time Grand Slam champion. Nadal also found another break of serve in the fifth game whilst holding his own service game comfortably. This lead to 6-2 first set and alarm bells were clearly ringing for Federer. Throughout the first set Nadal showed the crowd exactly what he is capable of with some stunning cross court and down the line passes from wide angles that seemed impossible to do anything with. Federer was not going to out rally Nadal so he was coming in as much as possible to close down the Spaniard and was being caught out all too often.
Second Set Deja Vu?
Nadal came out of blocks hitting hard at Federer and was not going to take his foot off he Swiss champion's neck. He got two looks at breaking Federer in the first game of the second set and took the second opportunity forcing an error from Federer at the net - was this going to be Deja Vu for Federer?
But to think Federer bow down to Nadal for a second consecutive set without a counter would be naive. He broke back immediately hitting some sweet winners down the line and cross court as he aimed to cut the rallies with Nadal short. From 40-15 on the Nadal serve Federer then struck again managing to somehow win the game using his backhand low slice to great effect. Federer held his next service game to love to go 3-1 up. Normal service holds resumed for the pair and at 5-2 and love 30 up you would have thought Federer had this one in the bag. But even with Nadal being just a teenager he already had the gift of perseverance as he came through a tough game to give himself one last chance to break back at 5-3.
Again 30 love up in the next game and Federer looked to be cruising with the chance to easily close out the set and make it 1-1. But Nadal produced a mesmerising backhand pass and a forehand return on serve that helped to brake Federer to make it 5-4. The second set subsequently went to a tie break. In the tie break Nadal raced to a 6-2 lead again bullying Federer with heavy top spin forehands that were landing so deep he was forcing Federer to return the ball short for an easy mop up. Federer eventually conceded the second set to the Spanish Bull 7-4 with a poor forehand into the net. Federer was clearly struggling to deal with Nadal's top spin and a second Miami victory against Federer now looked well on the cards for Nadal.
The Comeback
Third Set: Federer Looks a Dead Man Running
Federer's serve again collapsed in the fourth game of the third set as Nadal's defensive capabilities plus his power and depth of shot were too much for Federer to handle. Going 3-1 up in the third the match looked all over. Nadal then took a 4-1 lead having just about managed to close out the fifth game and casting an even bigger cloud over Federer's chances of claiming his first Miami Masters title. It was surely over for Federer at 4-1 and 2 sets down? The sixth game of the third set forced Federer to produce some strokes of genius just to stay in contention. Hitting some wondrous shots Federer made a classic backhand pass with Nadal bearing down on the net. Federer showing a dogged side to himself not usually needed got his reward in the next game as he produced some defensive tennis of his own managing to stave off a couple of big backhands from Nadal before forcing the error through a more aggressive shot of his own to crucially break back before the third set was over. It was on serve for the rest of the set leading into a nervy tie break - more so for Federer than Nadal who had a 2 set cushion.
In the tie break Federer was again dancing with the devil as he went 5-3 down. He was on the cusp of having to save 3 match points. But he managed to hold off Nadal and turn the scoreboard pressure around to 6-5 setting up set point and the possible start of a comeback. The last tie break point was all about who would blink first with both players hitting the ball conservatively to see who would buckle, Nadal was to be that man gifting Federer the set point by spurning a backhand long out of the court. Federer had come back from 4-1 in the third set to steal it from Nadal.
Fourth Set: Swiss Snatches a Key Break
Federer got the break in the fourth game of the fourth set imposing his flatter and harder forehand and backhands on Nadal at the crucial moments. There were some hit and miss moments for both players in the game that followed the break with a series of exhaustive rallies where momentum was shifting either way at the edge of both players rackets. If there is one point that summed up the fourth set it's this...
Amazing Point in the 4th Set: Federer Just Prevails Over Nadal's Unbelievable Defense
So with roles now reversed and this time Federer up 4-1 in the fourth could he do what Nadal couldn't in the third set and hold his break of serve to see out the set and take it to a climatic fifth? Unlike Nadal iFederer did not blink on serve and kept his foot well and truly on the Fed Express accelerator serving it out comfortably to seal the fourth set 6-3 in games.
Fifth and Final: Federer Takes Charge with Sensational Display
In the fifth and final set Federer took charge of the match in the third game producing some brilliant forehands including a fantastic pass down the line off a somewhat tame volley by Nadal. Federer had finally got himself ahead in the match. That seemed to totally knock the wind out of Nadal's sails. After Federer held comfortably Nadal then dropped serve not once but twice leading to emphatic 6-1 win for Federer in the fifth set, you could clearly see he was ecstatic with the comeback win after the match.
To be fair on Nadal I wouldn't say he so much as caved in more like Federer upped his own aggressive style of play in the 5th and managed to break through Nadal's defense. He was the more positive of the two players in the last set looking to finish points off earlier rather than stay too long in the rally. Nadal was also a spent force where as Federer looked like he had a good few more sets left in him!
Federer Stated:
You play the ball, you don’t play the opponent. Be free in your head, be free in your shots, go for it. The brave will be rewarded here. I didn’t want to go down seeing forehands rain down on me from Rafa.
Federer's comment above were actually after the 2017 Australian Open Final win against Nadal 3-2, not his comeback in Miami! I just thought I'd share them with you because almost 12 years later after beating Nadal 3-2 in Miami it seems Federer has not changed his attitude on how to prevail over the Spanish Bull!
Watch: Full Highlights of the Comeback vs Nadal: Final: 2005 Miami Masters
*Did you know? Nadal got his revenge against Federer the same year! After loosing to in Miami, Rafa Nadal went on to win his first ever French Open title at Roland Garos where he beat Federer in the Semi Finals 3-1 in sets.
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