Borg was a fave of mines as well, but I wouldn't say all his matches were that entertaining! He had his moments against Connors and McEnroe, but just because a match goes 5 sets doesn't mean it was worth watching again! I still remember walking out of a FO final in '74 he was having against Orantes! He was down 0-2, but I knew Bjorn would drag it out and win eventually! I was being called out to play so I left mid-match! I can't imagine doing that these days, but back then, things were more predictable! BTW, Borg won in 5 sets fairly easily; 2-6, 6-7, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1! There were some players he literally owned like Vilas, Gerulaitis, The Bagel Twins (Solomon/Dibbs), and Connors late which rarely got my heart palpitating even when down!
TBH, that's why I couldn't watch it again. That kind of collapse in the face of such an opportunity is too disturbing to revisit. Plus, at the front part of the match, Gaudio was really frozen by the moment, so my memory of it is that it is in no way a classic match of any kind. (@tented : I get why you posted it, though. Fair enough to anyone who could bear watching it again. The trivia bit about the last men's GS final where someone had CP and lost, until Wimbledon last year, was very interesting.)
In fairness, I think Rafa was only hanging in with Verdasco at certain parts of that match, who was playing some of the best tennis of his career that night. I know that one of the things that those who don't like Nadal (and some who frankly don't respect his game,) is that he's willing to work hard to keep it tight, even if he's getting out-played for parts of a match. It won him the match over Verdasco, who finally couldn't keep it going in the 5th, and it's what won him that 3rd set v. Djokovic in the USO final 2013. If you can keep it close, you can take your opportunities when they come. Personally, I don't understand why some can't consider that a virtue and a talent. But it will always be thus. Here are highlights of the Nadal-Verdasco match you mentioned. Some very thrilling tennis in there.
I did watch highlights of the Federer v. Nalbandian one on your suggestion. Definitely worth watching, thanks! I'll watch the other one soon.
No it's wasn't fantastic tennis but a classic choke job by Coria..If you want a classic clay court match..Rafa Vs Coria Rome Masters 2005..
