Roger Federer's Top 5 Masterclass Performances of 2012

When Roger Federer is putting on a masterclass performance, you will know it almost instantaneously.

His clinics consist of his opponents struggling to hold and break serve and even win points.

He serves a high percentage of first serves and gets a lot of returns into play.

Rog will even throw in some off-speed shots, such as drop shots and forehand slices, to toy with his competition.

The following compilation of videos showcases Federer's most emphatic beat-downs this year so far (keep in mind that his 2012 French Open run was tough and he did not run through any opponents there).

Roger lost serve a total of three times in the following six matches—bonus points to anybody who can name the particular matches without even watching the highlights videos!

Honorable Mention: Feds Dispatches Del Potro

Because of the nature of the opening service game this video only receives an honorable mention.

It set the tone for the rest of the match, wherein Juan Martin del Potro was frustrated and things did not go his way.

But Roger still had an array of shots that make this match a master(class)piece.

5. Federer Ends Seppi's Run

Credit should be given to the Italian for making the end of the first and start of the second sets highly competitive.

However, Roger was in fine form in this match and was serving unbelievably.

He got revenge for his fellow countryman, Stan "The Man" Wawrinka, and left his opponent with little hopes.

Once again, though, credit must be given to Seppi, who had a magnificent showing at Roland Garros as well, nearly dismantling Novak Djokovic.

4. The Machine Gets Broken

Well, the title isn't so fitting because Nikolay Davydenko (A.K.A. The Machine) has been broken for a couple years now.

Still, Roger was practically in a rush to get this match over with and he continued to let the forehands fly throughout the duration of the match.

The Russian tried to take some balls on the rise, especially on his backhand side, but they would only be returned high up to the middle of the court at a slow-moving pace for Roger to annihilate.

3. Now We're Talkin'

Juxtaposed with the match at Indian Wells, this one takes on a different feel although both were simple straight set wins for Roger.

In this match Del Potro had nothing to blame but Fed's sheer brilliance. He was struggling to win games and each successive set was harder than before.

What truly stood out in this match to me was the usage of the backhand slice from the Swiss player—Delpo was not generating good pace off of the low, slow balls at all and Roger capitalized on this weakness.

2. Same as the #3 Slide?

This match was strikingly similar to the one he would play next (the Del Potro encounter you just saw and read about).

He served well, mixed up the pace and direction of the ball, sliced his opponent off the court and played delicate drop shots at smart times.

Bernard Tomic, the young sensation that is known for his court smarts, had almost no answers to Roger's questions once he broke serve in the first set to take a commanding lead in the match.

1. This Guy Usually Beats Federer? What?!

With all due respect to Rafael Nadal and his inability to show up in this match, it seems he had no chance to do any damage.

Federer came out guns-blazing and did not relent until unimportant moments (though he should always stop giving up after breaking serve).

Roger demonstrated why he and Rafa are the most evenly matched on hard courts, though his Spanish rival still did not have a stranglehold on this one.

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