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12/16/09 3:13 PM | Ricky Dimon
The Tennistalk panel has voted and the writers have come up with the Top 10 matches of the year on the ATP Tour. Part 2 includes matches 5-7.
7) Australian Open third round: Fernando Gonzalez d. Richard Gasquet 3-6, 3-6, 7-6(10), 6-2, 12-10
This one had it all: a dramatic tiebreaker, a marathon fifth set, unruly fans, an incredible comeback, and—most importantly—outstanding tennis. Gasquet was one point away from finishing it in straight sets, but it ended up being a memorable five-setter that lasted four hours and five minutes. Gonzalez saved one match point in a grueling third-set 'breaker before outlasting Gasquet in a 22-game final set. Amidst extremely hot and pressure-packed conditions, Gonzalez fired 85 winners and 51 unforced errors while Gasquet hit 80 winners against 58 mistakes. After Gonzalez won the last two points with a perfect topspin lob and a scorching down-the-line backhand, Chilean fans sent off flares and engulfed the stadium in smoke. "Good matches take on a life of their own and this was definitely one of the best matches I've seen," said Fox Sports commentator Wally Masur. "It was high energy, great ball striking, smart, tactical tennis of the highest order. It was brilliant."
6) Wimbledon semifinals: Andy Roddick d. Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(5)
Roddick and Murray put on remarkable displays of tennis despite both being under incredible pressure. Having fallen upon tough times on the court, Roddick was attempting to make it back to a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2006 (and first Wimbledon final since 2005). Murray, of course, had the weight of London on his shoulders as a real threat to capture a Wimbledon title for both himself and for Great Britain. Although it did not go five sets, it was just about as close as a four-setter can get. After splitting the first two sets, Roddick won both the third (9-7) and the fourth (7-5) in tiebreakers. The American blasted 21 aces and double-faulted only once while finishing with 40 more winners than errors (64-24). Murray, meanwhile, probably can't believe that he actually lost this match. The third-seeded Scot cracked 76 winners while committing just 20 unforced errors. "I never thought I would get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title and now I can," said Roddick. "It’s just a dream."
5) U.S. Open final: Juan Martin Del Potro d. Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2
The 2009 U.S. Open final will never be confused with the best match ever played, but what appeared to be a rout turned into an absolute thriller on one of the biggest stages in tennis. Del Potro had never appeared in a Grand Slam title match and he had been winless in six previous tries against his opponent, whereas Federer, of course was the five-time defending champion of the tournament and 15-time Grand Slam champion. The first 18 games on Monday afternoon went exactly according to the script. With Federer serving for a two-set lead at 6-3, 5-4, however, everything changed. Del Potro woke up from his slumber—and his nervousness—and began blasting forehands the likes of which have rarely been seen in tennis history. The 20-year-old Argentine broke for 5-5 to all but stay alive, eventually won both the second and fourth sets in tiebreakers, and did not stop swinging away until he had toppled Federer in a four hour and six-minute slugfest. Although both players tallied more errors than winners and combined for 17 double-faults, the stats—in this case—hardly paint an accurate picture. It was by no means a blockbuster from start to finish, but in sets two, three, and four, the tennis was electrifying and the drama was heart-stopping.
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Four to go. Only one slam final featured to date, though all six revealed so far were played at the slams. I reckon AO and Wimbledon finals must be in there, and if any match from outside the slams gets the nod it'll be Nadal-Djokovic at Madrid. Which would leave Nadal-Verdasco at AO, too.
No Haas-Cilic at Wimbledon, so - unless it's a clean sweep for Grand Slam matches, in which event I hope to see it there.
gorafago , 12/16/09 6:51 PM
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Actually, Roddick made it to the US Open final in 2006. He was attempting to make it back to the Wimbledon final since 2005.
iolife , 12/16/09 4:27 PM