Top five best comebacks of Roger Federer

The Swiss international has given us some unforgettable moments to relish from his illustrious career.

With Roger Federer announcing his retirement a few days back, we saw the end of a glorious career. Federer is considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the sport. With 20 Grand Slam titles, The Swiss ended up retiring with the third most Grand Slam titles in Men’s tennis history. He was also ranked World No. 1 for a record 237 consecutive weeks.

In his prime, Roger Federer dominated the court. We are so used to seeing him win dominantly that it is hard to imagine him winning games from behind. However, in his long and illustrious career, there have been many occasions when he clinched victory from the grasp of defeat. Here is a look at Roger Federer’s top five greatest comebacks:

5. Roger Federer Vs Gael Monfils: Quarter-finals, US Open 2014

By the time the US Open of 2014 rolled in, Roger Federer found himself without a Grand Slam title for the year. He had lost to Nadal in the Semi-Finals of the Australian Open and lost in the final of Wimbledon against Djokovic. Federer was desperate for the US Open trophy. However, in the quarter-finals he found himself trailing by two sets against Gael Monfils. The Frenchman won the first two sets 6-4 and 6-3. Federer mounted a comeback from the third set winning it 6-4. The match ended with Federer advancing to the semi-finals winning the match 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.

4. Roger Federer Vs Tomas Berdych: Round of 16, Australian Open 2009

Before coming into this match, Federer had won seven straight matches against Tomas Berdych. But Berdych managed to gain the upper hand in the match when he won the first two sets 6-4, 7-6. Federer with a hint of luck after a few unlikely mistakes by the Czech managed to break serve and win the third set 6-4. The Swiss won the final two sets rather comfortably and ended up making it eight successive wins against Berdych. Federer won the match 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and went on into the quarter-finals. He ended up reaching the final of that year’s Australian Open eventually losing to Nadal.

3. Roger Federer Vs Juan Martin Del Potro: Quarter Finals, French Open 2012

Clay has never been Federer’s strongest point. This is evident in the fact that out of 20 Grand Slam titles that Federer has won, only one of them is the French Open. However, the Swiss put up one of his finest displays in the Clay Court in his 2012 French Open Quarter-final tie against Del Potro. The Argentine took a two-set lead winning the first two sets 6-3, 6-7. However, Federer came roaring back and put one of his most dominant displays to complete a comeback. Federer advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Del Potro 3-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.

2. Roger Federer Vs Marin Cilic: Quarter Finals, Wimbledon 2016

This match is perhaps the closest Federer came to losing before mounting a comeback in this list. Federer had to save 3 break points in the third set and saved 3 match points over 3 games in the fourth set. The first two sets ended up being wins for Cilic. Federer only started to look alive in the third set. Cilic made him work hard for the comeback but Federer managed to clinch it. The Swiss won completed the comeback in the fifth set, winning the match 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

1. Roger Federer Vs Rafael Nadal: Final, Miami Masters 2005

Roger Federer’s greatest comeback came against one of his biggest rivals on the court. The 2005 Miami Masters saw a young 18-year-old Rafa Nadal come up against 22-year-old World No. 1 Roger Federer. Nadal, despite his young age, had already defeated Federer once the previous year. He was all set to do one over the Swiss again as he won the first two sets 6-2 and 7-6. Federer looked all set to lose as he went down 1-4 in the third set. That was when the then No. 1 woke up and played some brilliant shots to win the set in a tiebreaker. The comeback was on and Federer completed it after clinching the fourth and the fifth set. The former World No. 1 won the Miami Masters 20055 defeating Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.