Here is where both these jokers stand after 12 Grand Slams in the bag. Notice the discrepancy with the number of sets lost. And the five-setters played, more than three times.
Sampras was 28 when he won his 12th compared to 26 for Federer. It took Sampras 11 years to get here, from the date he turned pro (1988), compared to 9 years for Federer (1998).
| Joker | 3 sets | 4 sets | 5 sets | Sets lost | Tie breaks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sampras | 53 | 21 | 10 | 38 | 46 | ||
| Federer | 61 | 19 | 3 | 24 | 41 | ||
| Discrepancy favoring Federer | 8 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 5 | ||