Look, I think everyone's got it a little backwards. The whole notion about "best swordsman in the galaxy" is a moot point. Like everything in life, there are more or less skilled people, but on any given day seemingly crappy people can beat the very best. Mace may be the most consistently good fighter, but he isn't invincible, and neither is sidious. The ease with which he beats Jango (like, 10 seconds) serves to simply communicate his skill in contrats to Obi - Wan, who at best manages a draw over 5 minutes.
Mace and Sidious are probably equals, and with the ebb and flow of combat, Mace simply gains the upper hand. Sidious, however, being the master manipulator and strategist, uses this to his advantage, and in fact portrays himself as almost utterly defeated, to better sway young Skywalker. Skywalker intervenes, the tide is turned, and Mace becomes a street pancake.
The same goes for the Duel. Anakin is more naturally gifted than Obi-Wan, but he's rough and unfocused. Obi is experienced and disciplined; if you make a mistake, he knows how to capitalize. Anakin likely is dominating most of the fight, but is ultimately defeated by one crucial error he makes, and probably one of excess (lashing out uncontrollably in anger at Obi, who turns the momentum back on him). It doesn't mean that either is stronger or weaker, but that they each have different strengths.
Just my 2 cents
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