Top 10 Grandslam Matches of 2015 in ATP

Every year best tennis players around the world gift us some of their magical performances. Performances that bring us to our feet; performances that leave us mesmerized; performances that make us fall in love with tennis all over again. Here we look at the top 10 Grandslam matches that stole our hearts this year.

1. Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon

There is no bigger occasion in tennis world than the Wimbledon finals. Novak Djokovic played one of the best matches of his career to retain his Wimbledon crown after suffering a heart-breaking loss at the French Open finals. The world’s best player and one of the best players ever played a very competitive first two sets with the Serbian winning the first and losing in the second, both in tie-breakers. Rain delay and partially drawn roof broke any momentum Roger had gained from winning the second set as Novak produced a masterclass performance to win the next two sets 6-4 6-3 to record another monumental victory.

9. Roger Federer beat Andy Murray at Wimbledon

There is a huge sense of anticipation and tension whenever these two athletes walk out onto the Centre court of Wimbledon to face each other. It is the home favourite versus the all-time favourite. Playing in the semi-finals adds to the pressure, as the winner gets a shot at the Wimbledon trophy. Last year’s runner-up, Roger Federer produced a scintillating performance to outclass Andy 7-5 7-5 6-4.8.Dustin Brown beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon

The last place that Rafa wanted to lose after his French Open exit was at the Wimbledon. Three straight years Rafa had bowed down to players ranked way lower than him. This year too he went out thrashing to the qualifier and world number 102 Dustin Brown. After losing the first set 7-5, Rafa recovered well to bag the second set 6-3. However, the German produced the best performance of his career to knock out Rafa in 4 sets winning the third and fourth set 6-4 6-4.

1. Fabio Fognini beat Rafael Nadal at U.S. Open

Something that had never happened before occurred when Rafael Nadal faced Fognini in their 3rd round encounter at the Flushing Meadows. Nadal had a perfect 151-0 winning record at Grandslams after bagging the first two sets, but the Italian pulled off a shocker as he won the final 3 sets, recording a 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory over the Spaniard.

1. Milos Raonic beat Feliciano Lopez at Australian Open

It was always going to be tough match to call as two big servers collided in the 4 round of the Australian Open this year. Lopez was down 2 sets to 1 and two match points in the fourth set tie-breaker before grabbing the opportunity and taking the match to a deciding set. Raonic, however, pulled out his A game at just the right time to win the match and becoming the second Canadian to reach the last eight at Australian Open after Michael Belkin did it in 1968.

5. Thanasi Kokkinakis beat Bernard Tomic at French Open

It was an all Australian battle in this 2 round French Open matchup. After being down two sets, the South Australian, Kokkinakis showed incredible mental resolve to take the match into the decider. However, it was not long before he got broken in the final set and found himself facing 3 match points. The young Australian again displayed great skills to make a remarkable come back and win the match 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 8-6.

4.Benoit Paire beat Kei Nishikori at U.S. Open

Last year’s finalist Kei Nishikori came into 2015 U.S. Open with big hopes but he stumbled in his first round match-up against Paire. The fourth seeded Japanese sensation failed to convert two match points which eventually cost him the match. Paire produced some outstanding shots at crucial points to win the match 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 in 3 hours and 14 minutes.

Nishikori  had the following to say after the match:

“It’s always very sad to lose in the first round, but I think he was playing good tennis, I don’t think I played badly. Didn’t play great, but still, it’s never easy first match. He’s a good player. I will try to think about the next one, and I hope I can come back strong next year.”

1. Stan Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic at French Open

Elated Wawrinka had the following to say:

“I’m still surprised the way I played, because I think I played amazing today, I was really nervous, but I didn’t really choke. I was always going for my shots, always going for the right play. I was trying to have longer rallies, trying to play more deep, trying to play more aggressive from baseline, and little by little, I started to be the player inside the court.”

Probably one the most anticipated match of the year, not because of the rivalry between the players but because of what was on the line. Novak Djokovic was bidding to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to achieve a calendar Grandslam. After beating Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in quarter finals and semifinals respectively, Novak certainly had the confidence to make short work of Stan Wawrinka to complete his career slam. However, the Swiss number 2 played the match of his life to record probably the biggest win of his career and win the French Open final against the best player in the world. The final scoreline 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 did not matter much as all that mattered was who the winner was. This match will stay in our memory for a long time.

Djokovic with his eyes filled with tears managed to say a few words after the match:

“You go through emotions, Of course I was more nervous than any other match. It’s the final of Roland Garros. We both were aware of the importance of this match, and that’s why you tend to have these particular situations. But at least I’m proud of the fight that I put into this match. I tried my best. It wasn’t to be.”

2.Nick Kyrgios beat Andreas Seppi at Australian Open

After taking out Roger Federer in previous match, Seppi looked to continue his impressive run against the home-favourite Nick Kyrgios in their fourth round encounter at the Australian Open. The Italian was 2 sets to love up before the young Aussie mounted strength to record a breathtaking comeback and seal the victory with a 5-7 4-6 6-3 7-6 8-6 scoreline. Both players played supreme tennis to give us one of the best match of the year.

1.Richard Gasquet beat Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon

The French Open champion Stan Wawrinka continued his great run of form as he entered the quarterfinals of Wimbledon without dropping a single set. His opponent now was the local hero Richard Gasquet. Both men showed great heart as they took the match into a decider after saving and winning a hand full of opportunities. In the fifth set, quality of tennis was not the only deciding factor but a test of who wants it more. At 9-9 in the fifth set, Wawrinka had a chance to break Gasquet serve at 30-40 but he crumbled under pressure. Gasquet held his serve and took the momentum to get onto Wawrinka’s nerves as Wawrinka mishit a couple of shots to bring match-point for the Frenchman. At his third opportunity, Gasquet took the chance and won the match. He fell onto the grass court rejoicing the victory as the entire stadium erupted in cheers.

Gasquet had the following to say :

“It was a great match, playing the winner of Roland Garros in a quarter-final of a Grandslam, so I needed to keep focused and to fight, Of course, it’s a very nice victory for me to win against him 11-9 in the fifth. It’s great.”