Right! So now we get onto my pick of the top 5 grand slam matches of 2016 and boy this could be tough to narrow down but I will do my best as its been a great year of tennis once more in the majors.
And with that in mind let's get started!
5. Australian Open semi final, Andy Murray d. Milos Raonic, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
So at No.5 was this epic clash between two players that had their fair share of clashes this season, Andy Murray and Milos Raonic in a match that went the distance in Melbourne and what a match it was.
The match started with Andy Murray dropping serve, which saw the big serving Canadian take full advantage and the 1st serve with it. In the 2nd set however deep into it, Andy finally capitalised on a poor Raonic service game, which saw the match level at a set apiece but in the 3rd set there danger signs for Andy as Raonic took the 3rd on a tiebreak to put him within a set of his first major final.
However in the 4th set, Andy fought back and he managed to fashion another break and with that he levelled the match at two sets all. As for the 5th set, unfortunately for Raonic things started to come undone as he began to struggle with his fitness and injury took over and he lost his momentum and suffered a double break that enabled Andy to win the match and reach his 5th final down under.
This really was a high quality match and it was a sign of things to come from both these men in 2016 as they would go on to have several excellent quality matches together as they year progressed. And in the match, Raonic looked as dangerous as he ever had in a big match up to this point and at two sets to one up he really looked to be in the driving seat before his fitness struggles occured later in the 4th set.
But despite the heartbreak that Milos suffered in this match it was still one hell of an encounter between both men and as such it rightly takes the spot at No.5.
4. US Open men's final, Stan Wawrinka d. Novak Djokovic, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3
In the 4th spot is this year's US Open men's singles final between Nole and Stan "the man" in what promised to be a highly entertaining encounter and it did not disappoint as it was another great match-up between these two who have contested a terrific rivalry in the last three years.
The match itself had an unknown quantity to it as Novak went into it having only played three full matches as he got two retirals and a walkover leading into the final so it was difficult to guage where his level was at given that he had suffered a poor summer by his own his standards. Stan however had quietly built up momentum throughout the tournament, which saw him reach his 3rd grand slam final having a perfect 2-0 record in major finals he looked like a slight favourite going into this one.
However the match started with Novak making the stronger start as he broke Stan early on to take a lead but it didn't last too long as Stan broke back and both men went into a tiebreak, which Novak dominated to take the opening set. In the 2nd set however, Stan did what was expected of him and that was to break Novak and with that he levelled the match. In the 3rd set we got another tight battle but in the end Stan managed to pip Novak to the post and he broke to edge ahead and take a two sets to one lead. And by the 4th set, Novak started to look a bit worse for wear as cramp had set in after the gruelling three sets that proceded him but Nole still battled on valiantly despite going down a break. But in the end it was Stan who was the man again and he managed to finally serve out the match to seal his 3rd grand slam title in four gruelling sets.
Well this really was a very entertaining encounter, which featured quality points that had the New York crowd gasping and cheering in equal measure. The match also saw Stan prove that he truly is a big match player and in slam finals he certainly rises to the occassion and he did once more here and its amazing to think that Stan is now only one major away from the career slam and next year at Wimbledon he could concievably do it too!
Anyways in the meantime its safe to say this was one of the best slam matches of the season and easily the best slam final of the year.
3. US Open 4th round, Lucas Pouille d. Rafael Nadal 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
At No.3 is another US Open match and this one was an incredible encounter between the former two time US Open champion, Rafa Nadal and the upcoming Frenchman, Lucas Pouille in a thrilling clash where both men were battling it out for a place in the quarter finals.
Going into this match, Rafa looked to be in good form having not dropped a set but here he met his match in Pouille who stunned Rafa in the 1st set as he dominated the former No.1 by a double break to the opener. In the 2nd set however, Rafa bounced back strong and he got a double break of his own to level the match at a set all. In the 3rd set however, Pouille reasserted himself yet again and he broke Rafa to take the two sets to one lead and possibly a famous victory with it. But in the 4th, Rafa was not yet done as he managed to secure a break and went on to level the match at two sets all.
And in the 5th set we got a thrilling battle that saw momentum swing to and fro as both men traded breaks, which finally saw the match head into a deciding tiebreak and it was Pouille that pulled off a stunning victory to put out Rafa and deny him his chance at reaching his first major quarter final of the season with a remarkable win.
Well this was another match that had everything in it as it was not short on tension or drama and there was plenty of that throughout and it was a match that unfortunately in a way signalled that Rafa had to make way for the new generation of players. But you could take nothing away from the incredible effort that Lucas Pouille put into this memorable match as he made his 2nd consecutive major quarter final (having reached his first at Wimbledon earlier in the year).
So there is no doubt that this epic clash deserves to take the 3rd spot.
2. Wimbledon championships semi final, Milos Raonic d. Roger Federer, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
At No.2 is another epic clash that happened between the former seven time Wimbledon champion, Roger Federer and the big Canadian server, Milos Raonic, who had put in a very impressive run of form at the tournament as he made his 2nd semi final at SW19 where he faced Roger previously in a straight set loss two years earlier.
However this match was completely different from their previous Wimbledon semi final as Raonic, under John McEnroe's coaching, had become a stronger player and in the match he got off a strong start as he broke Rog to grab the opening set. In the 2nd set Rog as anyone would expect started his fightback as he levelled the match in a tiebreak and he then went on to take the lead in the 3rd set as he grabbed the two sets to one advantage. And Roger continued to look in control in the 4th set until at the very last minute, Milos manufactured a break out of the blue at 6-5 to level the match at two sets all.
Unfortunately for Roger in the 5th set his fitness started to let him down as he struggled with a knee injury that saw Milos break Rog once again and he served it out for a place in his very first grand slam final.
Well this definitely one of the best matches of the tournament and it was quite a remarkable comeback from Raonic after looking potentially down and out in the 4th set as there were a few chances for Roger to break that would have seen him reach the final. However Raonic deserved all the credit in this match for hanging tough and it was thanks to John McEnroe's coaching that he was able to do just that.
So this was a real cracker of a match and as such it easily earns its place as the runner up to the best slam matches of the season.
And so the No.1 grand slam match of the season is....
1. Wimbledon championships, quarter final, Roger Federer d. Marin Cilic 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
So at the top spot is this remarkable match between Roger Federer and Marin Cilic which turned out to be an absolute classic that saw both men battle it out for a place in the semi finals and it was a match that had it all for sure.
As for the match itself it began with Cilic serving out of his skin as he expertly kept Roger at bay on serve and in the tiebreak, Cilic continued his great form and dominated Roger 7-4 to take the first set. In the 2nd set it was more of the same as Cilic seemed to be growing in confidence as he broke Roger to move two sets to love up and it looked like a dramatic upset was on the cards. However Roger did what he always does when his back is to the wall and that is play his best tennis and dig real deep and he sure did that here as he won the 3rd set with a break of serve to keep his 8th title at Wimbleon alive.
And in the 4th set the audience were treated to an exhilirating contest between both men as they battled it out and Cilic had several match points in the set alone as the 4th set was decided by an epic tiebreak 11-9 in Roger's favour. And by the 5th set, momentum was fully with Roger as he finally moved ahead in the match for the first time and he broke Cilic's heart and spirit with a break of serve that saw the seven time champion seal an amazing comeback win.
Well Roger Federer has certainly come back from the dead several times in grand slam matches before from a two set deficit but this surely had to be one the most impressive comebacks of his whole career as Cilic played superbly in the first two sets and appeared to have the ascendancy in the 4th set also. However in the end you just can't keep a champion like Roger down forever and he certainly showed his fighting spirit here throughout.
Unfortunately for Cilic this was certainly one of the toughest losses of his career and perhaps the last match he played under Goran Ivanisevic's coaching, who was said to have been devastated after this loss and Cilic would later take on Andy Murray's former coach, Jonas Bjorkman as a replacement. And for Cilic this wouldn't be the last match of the season where he had such an advantage and let it slip but I will leave that for another post....
Anyway for me this was the best grand slam match of the year and it had all the drama, excitement and entertainment you could hope for in a tennis match and it more than deserves its place at No.1.
Right so that's it for my look at the best grand slam tennis matches of the year and I will be back soon with a combined post for my look at the best Davis cup and Olympic matches from this season.
So see you soon!
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