OK so now onto Part 2 of my top 10 favourite matches from the WTA tour and I think I've hopefully picked some of the best uns of the year, as there is definitely plenty of great tennis to be found in them, so here we go from 5 down to 1.....
5. US Open quarter final, Victoria Azarenka d. Sam Stosur, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5).
This quarter final clash between Vika and Sam Stosur had mixed expectations, especially since Stosur had never beaten Victoria, and had not even managed to take a set off her (I think!) especially as their last meeting in Doha earlier this year was a thrashing for Stosur. However this match proved quite the opposite, with Sam, the defending champion, giving her all to try and hold onto her title. After a very one-sided first set to Victoria, this looked like yet another routine straight set win, however things soon changed in the 2nd set as Sam rose her game and broke Victoria to go and win her first ever set against the Belarusian. In the 3rd set the players traded breaks (as is quite often the case in these sorts of matches!) but they both eventually wound up even pegged as the match went into its deciding tiebreak. But in the breaker, Azrenka re-established her authority and took the crucial minibreak to seal the deal after an exhaustive 2 hours and 24 minutes. Despite the fears of this being a doddle for Victoria, it was a pleasant surprise that it turned into quite an epic struggle for them both, and Stosur also deserves alot of credit for pushing Azarenka as hard as she did, especially in taking her first ever set off the World No.1, and it was a pity her title defence ended, but at least she went out with a bang and not one of those whipers. Great stuff.
4. Kremlin cup final, Caroline Wozniacki d. Sam Stosur, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
In the Kremlin cup final we were given a real treat, despite the asbence of the top 8 players, who all took the week to prep for the WTA Championships, instead we had the World No.9, Sam Stosur, and the former World No.1, Caroline Wozniacki (now World No.11) go at it for the Kremlin cup. From the start of the match, Caroline played some effective and aggressive tennis, breaking Stosur twice to go and clinch the opening set. In the second however, the play dipped a little as both players traded breaks, but Stosur raised her level and managed to hold onto her serve to finally get the break she needed to bag the 2nd set, to level things at a set apiece. And in the 3rd and final set, the tennis increased in quality dramatically, and although Caroline went a break down straight away, she soon broke back, and after that it was all good as both women fought it out to try and win the title. And at 6-5, with Sam serving to take the match to a final tiebreak, it was Caroline that took the initiative and broke Sam for the last time to grab her 2nd title of the year, and end it on a real high note with an important victory, which saw her re-establish herself as a top player. This was a great match and despite the odd dip here and there, it got better and better as it went on, and it was terrific to see Caroline get back on form, as she looked like a revitalised player, especially after struggling for the most part of 2012, she turned it around and has become a more aggressive player who is willing to take it on more. As for Stosur, well it was a pity she lost, as she had her chances in that 3rd set, especially as she was a break up and she nearlt was in a position to serve it out but unfortunately she just wasn't able to take her chances. But regardless of that, it was a great final in the last Premier event of the WTA tour in 2012.
3. US Open final, Serena Williams d. Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
In recent years, the US Open ladies finals have generally always been won in straight sets, so it was a breath of fresh air, that for the first time in 16 years, we finally got a 3 setter, and it couldn't have featured two better players than here, with Serena going for her 4th US Open title, and Victoria her first. The match started off with Serena, who had been in imperious form throughout the tournament, serving with effortless ease and precision, as she broke Victoria twice in the opening set. In the 2nd set however, we had a rare turnaround as Serena's level dipped as she struggled with her serve, and Vika took the initiative to break her twice and getting her own back to grab the 2nd set she won against her in all their meetings. In the decider Vika managed to break Serena again, and it looked like things were going to go her way as she had a chance to serve for the title at 5-4, but then Serena showed her grit and went on to break her back to level 5-5. And after an effortless hold for Serena, Vika struggled with hers and in the end it was the American who went on to shut down the World No.1, winning her 4th US Open title. This was a great final for the last grand slam of the year, and it was great to see it be the longest ladies final in the last couple of years, clocking in at just under 2 hours and 20 minutes (which is long for a ladies final trust me!). The level of play from both women was great for the most part of the match, and it just went to prove that even though Serena isn't still yet the World No.1 in the rankings, she is very much the World No.1 for real. And despite Azarenka's loss, it showed she is the best player in the world next to Serena and hopefully they will continue many more high quality matches like this one in the future.
2. French Open 1st round, Virginie Razzano d. Serena Williams, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
Over the years tennis has had some great upsets in the history of the sport, however they didn't get much bigger than this one, when at the French Open, despite going in as the hot favourite to win it, Serena went on in a shock first round defeat to a home players, Virginie Razzano, who was then ranked 111 in the world. In the match, Serena came in off having just won 17 matches in a row, and on paper this sounded like a doddle for the former champion. But Razzano had other ideas as she put up an incredible fight against Serena, coming from a set down she went on to level the scores at a set all. And something appeared to be really up with Serena emotionally, as she cried at certain points in the match, and she went 5-0 down, before fighting back to win the next 3 games. But the last game of the match was an unbelievable effort from Razzanno, who not only battled Serena but also cramp, as she was even docked a couple of points for crying out during points from the pain. However none of this dampened her spirits, as the racuous French crowd backed their player to win the match, and after 8 match points she did just that and pulled one of the biggest upsets in the history of tennis by defeating Serena Williams. This was a superb match, not only for its incredible play from the Razzano but also the amazing atmosphere, generated by the French crowd, who were naturally very partisan. Serena showed some uncharaceristic signs of crumbling throughout but she also did her best given the circumstances to hang in there as long as she could, especially against an inspired opponent. But it was Razzano's match and no doubt its one she will never forget, just like I'm sure Lukas Rosol won't have at Wimbledon, who defeated Rafa in another big upset. Wonderful stuff.
1. WTA Championships round robin, Victoria Azarenka d. Angelique Kerber, 7-6(13-11), 6-7(2-7), 6-4.
In the last WTA event of the season, featuring the top 8 players in the world, it was an event that needed some real top tennis to suit it, and they sure got it in this match, which for me is undisputedly the ladies match of 2012. The first set alone featured some of the greatest tennis you will ever see from anyone on a tennis court, as neither player held back and went for their shots, and the 1st set tiebreak, was nothing short of astonishing, which Kerber won. In the 2nd set it was even pegged again, with both players fighting hard, and in the 2nd tiebreak, Vika levelled the scores to one set all. In the final set though, it was Azarenka that made the vital break and went on to serve out a classic match after an epic 3 hour 6 minute slog. If there was ever an advert for the quality of women's tennis, then this match would be it, as the level from both players was simply staggering, the first set particularly has to rank as one of the finest sets on a tennis court. Keber once again showed why she is in the the top ten as she gave it her all to stay in the match and fought to the end. And as for Victoria well it showed once again her fighting spirit and champion qualities, who surely will go on to become a multiple grand slam champion in the future, and she is also great to watch in action (even despite her opera-esque grunting!). Just terrific stuff all round, and a great way to round off anyone's top 10 (and if it isn't anyone elses, then there's something wrong with them. Just kidding!) ;-).
So that's it for my top 10 list of the best ladies matches from the WTA tour and the grand slams this year. Hope its been enjoyable.
Until the next post, bye the now.
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