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12/15/11 5:57 AM | Ricky Dimon
Tennistalk continues its countdown of the best matches of the year with numbers seven and six. Part 2 features nail-biting wins by the top two players in the world.
7) Davis Cup final: Rafael Nadal d. Juan Martin Del Potro 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(0)
It went only four sets and just one set was closer than 6-4, but it lasted four hours and eight minutes and the quality of play combined with the unparalleled drama of the spectacle made this one literally heart-stopping. When it was all said and done, Rafael Nadal survived Juan Martin Del Potro to give Spain its fifth Davis Cup title while leaving Argentina still in search of its first. Del Potro bludgeoned the ball like it was the 2009 U.S. Open final and for a while it was way too much for Nadal, but the world No. 2 hit back in style to eventually overcome an incredibly worthy opponent.
What made the level of play all the more impressive was that it came under unimaginable pressure. As the Spanish jubilation and Argentine tears can attest, nothing--not even Grand Slams--can approach the passion for and tension in a Davis Cup final. Nadal and Del Potro had to deal with outright pandemonium between points and even during points, but through it all they delivered a battle that won't soon be forgotten.
"Today is one of the most emotional days of my career," admitted Nadal. "After such a difficult year, this was a spectacular finale to the season. To win a final this way is very special. We are very grateful to all the people of Spain. It was the best atmosphere I have experienced in my career."
"I played unbelievable tennis against Rafa," said Del Potro. "Anyways, Argentina put the flag very, very high. And to Spain you say, 'Good win.'"
6) Rome semifinals: Novak Djokovic d. Andy Murray 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(2)
Coming off some dreadful losses on hard courts in February and March, Andy Murray was playing on his least favorite surface against an opponent who was 35-0 in 2011. Mission impossible? Well, maybe not. Murray turned around his season on the European clay courts, never more than in a thrilling semifinal against Novak Djokovic at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia that lasted three hours and two minutes.
Djokovic had destroyed Murray in the Australian Open final and he looked poised to do the same after one set in Rome. However, the underdog Scot stormed back in the second to set up what would be a wild, topsy-turvy third. Djokovic led by a break early but then found himself down breaks at both 4-3 and 5-4, only to break back both times and eventually force a tiebreaker. The on-fire Serb had the momentum and could do no wrong in the decider, clinching victory with a perfect drop-shot at 6-2.
"It was a very close match; a fantastic match to be a part of," Djokovic said. "Whoever saw the match knows that the winner was not decided until the last point."
Count Bob Bryan among those who saw it. "Just watched some of the greatest displays of shot-making & guts I have ever seen," Bryan wrote on Twitter afterward. "Thank u @andy_murray & @DjokerNole. You are both champs."
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I agree with your choices so far Ricky.
The Rafa vs Delpo match had me sitting on the edge of my seat until the tie-break which was decided after the first 4 points really, but until then it was a nail biter. The first set wasn't as one sided as the score implies and the fourth set was such a roller coaster that no one could tell where the match was going, so many service breaks in the one set. Ultimately, it was clear that Rafa got his mojo back after the first set and would be the likely winner in the end.
In the Djoko vs Muzz match, both players were on a mission. Nole wanted to keep his streak going and Muzz wanted to be the one to break it, so it was a battle of wills.
Tennis is such a fascinating sport because of the scoring system, every point is important and it's never over until match point is won.
nadline , 12/15/11 10:12 AM
I am loving these picks. Great memories! What I really loved was the description of the importance of DC to the respective countries and all the emotion and feeling that becomes a part of the match. It was a back and forth rollercoaster ride all the way. It was crazy with the fans being so loud and the players having to wait so long at times between points, but it was a joy to watch!
I also loved that Djoker/Murray match. It looked like another routine win for Djoker after that first set. But Murray, who has had trouble at times figuring his way out of trouble, made the necessary adjustments to come back strong in that second set. Then it was a crazy third set, but I thought that Murray had it wrapped up when he had the chance to serve for the match - until he was broken! I think Murray got nervouse and choked at the end. He should have won that match. I thought he outplayed Djoker for most of the second and third sets. But Djoker kept his cool and showed his newfound mental toughness to get the win.
Nativenewyorker , 12/16/11 5:11 AM
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Nadal-Delpo highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6_9O77E7TA
Djokovic-Murray highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ37c1m7ByA
RickyDimon , 12/15/11 6:04 AM