I remember seeing this match back in 2014, you are not doing enough justice to Kei with this video. He played excelent in terms of tactics, after losing the first set he figured out that his only chance is to force Roger to hit as many times with the backhand as possible (most of the times because he would hit slice or lose a lot of ground and time to hit with the forehand). A true example of effort and perseverence! Stayed up until 6 AM local time to watch the match!
Such a good player Nishikori its a shame injuries got in the way of him being a much better 1 GS final without the injuries he could have came close to winning a slam
If only Kei was just a bit taller so that his serve didn't become a liability. The guy moved and hit the ball so well, but eventually the pressure on his service game would take its toll in a 5 set match
Which djokovic lacks. How djokovic lacks that when he is the best ever is beyond me... Had a chitchat with some friends some time ago...His longevity is a byproduct of his playstyle. Had he had that good serve, he would never play as long as he does.
@@stfustfu7765 Djokovic has a solid serve. Very good second serve as well. There's no comparison between Kei's serve and Nole's serve. Nole's serve hasn't been a liability since 2011
@@fuckthegamecallmonsterlege4093 Of course he isn't the same caliber as the others, but he's got the same precision baseline game. Add Baghdatis to that list too. I know he gets shit for being a one-hit wonder, but he was such a clean hitter too.
interesting to see that at the time NISHIKORI had UNIGLOW SPONSURE SHIP The fed with Nike....who would have guessed the HUGE deal that was to struck later with "FED"
I loved Feds game but his arrogance was annoying at times with his yelling during important breaks but humbled by Kei here a good lesson. Kei was even during the USO14 higher level than Fed but lost to a likely doped Cilic. Public records show Fed became richer than FEDAL and anything he made in tennis due to investing in GAVI way before the Spamdemic started thanks to Billy Goat Gates and then invested in ON. He remained jab free unlike his Spanish Bull buddy who due to taking a surprise Army dose level of the concoction has virtually ended his career with daily pains of needles aka graphene in his body than in his racquet. In terms of intelligence Fed was 3, Rafa 2 and Nole 1 as reflected by their Slam count.
the wonder of tennis. it's a game of consistency. each point slowly builds on the other. one vs.one. skill vs. skill, fitness vs. fitness, and mind vs.mind.
I think it's hilariously ironic how the first rally they both shank 1 each back to back right after he's like "cleanest ball striker". I'm sure the match is insane but the timing is too good xD
insane assssss match, crazy rallies, they were both coming up with some bullshit shots. I kinda forgot how much seemingly random power federer got on his forehand, the timing and weight is just perfect on some shots. Nishikori was nuts, the match point was crazy, he just took a highball and jumping backhanded a winner for the win xD
2003-2006 was peak federer. He lost a few steps - his inside out forehand (requiring supreme movement and his forehand in general was the biggest weapon in tennis during those years. You can see they go missing after that
one of many players with slam talent but was mentally weak, had trouble dealing with expectations once he became a top player. people say its injuries or he's too short, i dont buy that, anxiety crippled him.
Good question! It is subjective but to me it is as follows: Certain players tend to not hit the ball cleanly consistently while maintaining depth and power in their shots. Rafa and Roger for example are great but often miss-hit the ball or don't catch it cleanly. This results in often a weak or short ball that can be attacked. In Rafa's case this happens because of all the spin he puts on the ball and he doesn't always get it right especially when defending. Roger here you can see a lot of times he refuses to back up to defend and stays close to the baseline. As a result he is rushed and can't hit the ball great every time. In the first two points of the match you can see roger shank miss-hit several shots including the returns because he stands close to the baseline on returns. To be fare he also shanks ball just due to using a lot of improvisation and aggression, but it is a fair criticism that he is not a clean ball striker. Examples of clean hitters right now are Djokovic and Sinner. They like to generally stand close to the baseline and take the ball early too, but will give ground a little more freely. They dominate with both backhand and forehand and are able to consistently maintain depth and power in their shots. I would say that Sinner has a bit more power and technique in his forehand while Novak has a little more variety with angles and spin. An older example of a clean ball striker would be Andre Agassi.
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2014 Nishikori was a beast. Beat Federer in Miami, Djokovic at the USO, was beating Nadal in Madrid before he got injured. Injuries messed him up.
He reminds me of davydenko.. Taking the ball so early and ripping it.. Nishikori didnt have a good strong serve though
i cant say he deserved to win the us open because cilic clearly stepped up his grand slam performances after winning but he definitely was so close
Yes ! 👍 i like Nishikori that moment 🙏
Agree a beast! But especially for being only 5-9 or 5-10". Incredible talent i miss noshikori and Raonic. All the best are retiring 😢
Wow, that's sad. Such talent. What happened to Nishikori? Did he retire due to injuries?
Miami 2014 QF. Unfortunately Nishikori could not play the SF against Djokovic and had to walkover.
I remember seeing this match back in 2014, you are not doing enough justice to Kei with this video. He played excelent in terms of tactics, after losing the first set he figured out that his only chance is to force Roger to hit as many times with the backhand as possible (most of the times because he would hit slice or lose a lot of ground and time to hit with the forehand). A true example of effort and perseverence! Stayed up until 6 AM local time to watch the match!
Damn.... That intensity was crazy... It looks like they tried to kill each other..
Such a good player Nishikori its a shame injuries got in the way of him being a much better 1 GS final without the injuries he could have came close to winning a slam
2014 Nishikori was very strong.
それなー
Can you imagine Kei was at some point number 4 in the world during the dominance of the big 3 and also the high kevel play of Murray and Wawrinka 😊
If only Kei was just a bit taller so that his serve didn't become a liability. The guy moved and hit the ball so well, but eventually the pressure on his service game would take its toll in a 5 set match
Takao Suzuki is just 175 cm while Kei is 178 cm. Suzuki is a far better server.
Proper fluid motion will give anyone an edge
Which djokovic lacks. How djokovic lacks that when he is the best ever is beyond me...
Had a chitchat with some friends some time ago...His longevity is a byproduct of his playstyle. Had he had that good serve, he would never play as long as he does.
@@stfustfu7765 Djokovic has a solid serve. Very good second serve as well. There's no comparison between Kei's serve and Nole's serve. Nole's serve hasn't been a liability since 2011
Wow what a contest! I'd somehow forgotten this gem..
Federer vs HC precision ballstrikers always gave us the most entertaining matches. Djokovic, Agassi, Safin, Nalbandian, Nishikori.
I really wouldnt put.Nishikori with those
@@fuckthegamecallmonsterlege4093 Of course he isn't the same caliber as the others, but he's got the same precision baseline game.
Add Baghdatis to that list too. I know he gets shit for being a one-hit wonder, but he was such a clean hitter too.
What about Wawrinka?
Davydenko
Federer v.s. Japanese Federer!!!
The most exciting match in tennis!!!
One of the best forehands vs one of the best backhands ❤
Some rallies actually looked like a ping pong match
At 1/20 speed tho
Miss Nishikori...
He's back !!!
No it should be Mr. Nishikori. He is a man.
@@ragas2845 You didn't get it 😎 Miss in meaning - I wanted him back 👍
That was some awesome ball striking by Kei, Federer wasn't playing bad either, Kei just outhit him from the back of the court.
This guy was so underrated and forgotten.
Such an awesome player. Makes me think of that AO 2017 match vs Fed. Such a shame injuries brought him down so much.
マッチポイントエグすぎでは！？
interesting to see that at the time NISHIKORI had UNIGLOW SPONSURE SHIP The fed with Nike....who would have guessed the HUGE deal that was to struck later with "FED"
How often do we see such intense fantastic battles of tennis athletes who has all of strength, brain, skills, experience? Dayum
I loved Feds game but his arrogance was annoying at times with his yelling during important breaks but humbled by Kei here a good lesson. Kei was even during the USO14 higher level than Fed but lost to a likely doped Cilic. Public records show Fed became richer than FEDAL and anything he made in tennis due to investing in GAVI way before the Spamdemic started thanks to Billy Goat Gates and then invested in ON. He remained jab free unlike his Spanish Bull buddy who due to taking a surprise Army dose level of the concoction has virtually ended his career with daily pains of needles aka graphene in his body than in his racquet. In terms of intelligence Fed was 3, Rafa 2 and Nole 1 as reflected by their Slam count.
My god Nishikori is beautiful to watch
Is he your god really?
the wonder of tennis. it's a game of consistency. each point slowly builds on the other. one vs.one. skill vs. skill, fitness vs. fitness, and mind vs.mind.
I think it's hilariously ironic how the first rally they both shank 1 each back to back right after he's like "cleanest ball striker". I'm sure the match is insane but the timing is too good xD
insane assssss match, crazy rallies, they were both coming up with some bullshit shots. I kinda forgot how much seemingly random power federer got on his forehand, the timing and weight is just perfect on some shots. Nishikori was nuts, the match point was crazy, he just took a highball and jumping backhanded a winner for the win xD
I was thinking the same thing haha
Great editing. Good job. I was entertained.
2003-2006 was peak federer. He lost a few steps - his inside out forehand (requiring supreme movement and his forehand in general was the biggest weapon in tennis during those years. You can see they go missing after that
Him and Gulbis were too good in 2014
8:08 The reaction of the ball girl though
Unfortunately as a Nishikori fan, he is pretty much a btec Djokovic, so while he can beat almost anyone he never did great against nole which sucks
Didn't he beat Nole at the us open that year?
He sure did. Kei took Novak out in the semi finals in 4 sets.
what a grat match wow
Asian GOAT
Nishikori problem was easily his lack of anticipation and federer score in open spaces without challeng because Nishi didnt close down on time.
Answer: you get outclassed
Nice upload. Sick match
one of many players with slam talent but was mentally weak, had trouble dealing with expectations once he became a top player. people say its injuries or he's too short, i dont buy that, anxiety crippled him.
Are you kidding me? Physical injuries and a not so good serve did him 90% of the time
Beautiful.
At 8:04 , when K lost his racquet, does Federer automatically wins the point?
no but he has to hit back with the racket and since he doesn't have it all federer has to do is hit back
4:16 That was in???
Yup.
All class!
woah insane pace
Good job!
He keeps talking about clean and then Federer hits four shanks in the first rally and Kei wins on a net cord.
What doas hitting the ball ''clean'' really mean? good timing?..
Good question! It is subjective but to me it is as follows:
Certain players tend to not hit the ball cleanly consistently while maintaining depth and power in their shots. Rafa and Roger for example are great but often miss-hit the ball or don't catch it cleanly. This results in often a weak or short ball that can be attacked. In Rafa's case this happens because of all the spin he puts on the ball and he doesn't always get it right especially when defending. Roger here you can see a lot of times he refuses to back up to defend and stays close to the baseline. As a result he is rushed and can't hit the ball great every time. In the first two points of the match you can see roger shank miss-hit several shots including the returns because he stands close to the baseline on returns. To be fare he also shanks ball just due to using a lot of improvisation and aggression, but it is a fair criticism that he is not a clean ball striker.
Examples of clean hitters right now are Djokovic and Sinner. They like to generally stand close to the baseline and take the ball early too, but will give ground a little more freely. They dominate with both backhand and forehand and are able to consistently maintain depth and power in their shots. I would say that Sinner has a bit more power and technique in his forehand while Novak has a little more variety with angles and spin. An older example of a clean ball striker would be Andre Agassi.
Sebastian Korda is an example of a player who has very clean, fluid ball striking. His shots look like they almost always come off the sweet spot.
@@josiahbrown7258 Nalbandian
Roger..... The best always
Lovely tennis.
11:35 - Roger was about to cry?
No, he wasn't, why would he?
@@pradeepsahoo7243 i don't know. Maybe it's just seemed to me:)
Whoa what a match and what a player. Nishikori God mode is better than Big 3. I just got converted from a Federer fan to a Nishikori fan.
Prime Murray, Prime Nishikori, Prime Wawrinka > Big 3
🧐👌🏽
conclusion - it doesnt matter how cleanly you hit the ball against the likes of federer
Head to head statistic federer nishikori: 8-3 for federer lol
ひょええ
This wasnt a grandslam. Federer just didnt want to try hard.
even this version of federer would waste the fools today
Djokovic, Agassi, Nalbandian and Rios are cleaner ball strikers than Nishikori...
And this was not even close to RFs best version
but he didn't win the grand slam