uo10djokovic_federer

Points won by each set: [ 34-39, 26-14, 30-32, 28-18, 45-45 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
21 % Djokovic – 32 of 151
28 % Federer – 45 of 160

That match in my opinion shaped Djokovic [3] as an ultimate warrior. He had lost to Federer [2] on the same court their 2007 final, and semifinals of 2008 and 2009. Counting those three matches, and the 3rd set of the 2010 semifinal, he’d lost to Federer 8 out of 9 sets when they went to 5-all on Arthr Ashe Stadium. Therefore the fact he won the 5th set despite trailing *4:5 (15/40), I consider as an incredible effort. He saved the double match point with two forehand winners after 11 and 5 stroke rallies respectively (the first match point FH-drive-volley to be precise) and with the help of this shot he got the final three games (in the last 20 minutes of the match he hit 7 FH winners, 2 of them FH-volleys). Probably that victory allowed Djokovic to comprehend how to distribute his energy throughout a match to deliver his best tennis when it matters the most. He will repeat this awesome feat against his toughest opposition in the next few years in these thrillers: Federer (US Open ’11), Murray & Nadal (Aussie Open ’12), Tsonga (Roland Garros ’12), Del Potro (Wimbledon ’13) and Wawrinka (Australian Open & US Open ’13).

Comparison of four tight major semifinals with the loser leading 2-1 in sets after tight 3rd set:
Australian Open 2000: Agassi d. Sampras 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1… 2 hours 55 minutes… Total points: 155-149… Sampras 2 pts away
Roland Garros 2017: Wawrinka d. Murray 6-7, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1… 4 hours 34 minutes… Total points: 179-160… Murray 4 pts away
Wimbledon 1996: Washington d. Martin 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 10-8… 3 hours 49 minutes… Total points: 190-184… Martin 2 pts away
US Open 2010: Djokovic d. Federer 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5… 3 hours 44 minutes… Total points: 163-148… Federer had 2 match points

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