Two things that probably prevented Safin from being competitive in the Final against Federer that year: Set 4 of the Roddick match in the QF, and Set 3 against Agassi in this match. He essentially had to toil around 3 extra sets (a full matchload!). Playing a record tying 27 sets to just reach the Finals isn't the best preparation to play Federer, who was in the midst of his record breaking 2004-2007 run.
Two things that probably prevented Safin from being competitive in the Final against Federer that year: Set 4 of the Roddick match in the QF, and Set 3 against Agassi in this match. He essentially had to toil around 3 extra sets (a full matchload!). Playing a record tying 27 sets to just reach the Finals isn't the best preparation to play Federer, who was in the midst of his record breaking 2004-2007 run.
davd1986 8 months ago