Top 5 Tennis Matches of 2014

What a year 2014 has been in the world of tennis, we fans have seen it all happen with our own eyes, witnessing two Grand Slam shocks in Melbourne and New York from hard working underdogs from Switzerland and Croatia, Stanislas Wawrinka and Marin Cilic.

 

We’ve been proven that the age of 33 is just a number from the Grand Slam King, Roger Federer, grabbing two ATP Masters Titles and coming so close at the Wimbledon final.

 

Serena Williams kept her cool at the top of the ladies rankings sealing another Grand Slam title on home turf against the improved Caroline Wozniacki.

 

So much to look back at in the last 12 months but there is just not enough time to talk about it all.

 

After many hours of short listing the top 5 matches played from present back to when the 2014 season started…

 

We have our best 5 out of the hundred games recorded.

 

5) US Open Semi-Finals – Cilic (CRO) bt Federer (SUI)

 

 

On September 6^th earlier this year was the US Open men’s semi-finals with the first game out of the two caused huge drama. Kei Nishikori handled off Novak Djokovic in four sets booking a place into a Grand Slam final for the first time.

 

Moments after the match saw Marin Cilic and his opponent Roger Federer entering the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

 

Cilic’s run of form was a dangerous threat against the Swiss maestro including his powerful serves that picked up many aces.

 

Federer had no answer against the Croatian throughout the match; he couldn’t even win a set.

 

In the final game of the match, Cilic saved his unstoppable serves until the end to complete a shocking day to be remembered in the history books.

 

 

4) Wimbledon Gentlemen’s ¼ Finals – Dimitrov bt Murray (GBR)


 

 

 

This match was probably noted as the shocking result of this year’s Wimbledon tournament.

 

Murray was unbeaten after two competitions that took place at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, winning Olympic gold and his second Grand Slam.

 

The man from Dunblane reached the quarter finals and was expected to at least make an appearance in the semi-finals but Dimitrov played to disappoint.

 

 

3) ATP World Tour Finals Semi-Finals – Federer (SUI) bt Wawrinka (SUI)

 

 

Two players representing the same country of Switzerland had to fight scrappy for a place in the season ending final.

 

Wawrinka had displayed his potential by winning his first ever Grand Slam against a 14 time winner back in January while Federer was still finishing high in the tournaments on the calendar.

 

The match took place less than a week before the Davis Cup final with both players set to work together to win their country the world cup of tennis.

 

 

2) Valencia Open Final (ATP 500) – Murray (GBR) bt Robredo (SPA)

  

This year’s Valencia Open finale was staging a second battle between Andy Murray and Tommy Robredo within a month from the Shenzhen final which was won by Murray.

 

Robredo was hoping for sweet revenge in front of his fellow Spaniard fans and the 32 year-old had one hand on the trophy. 5 times the man from Spain was just a point away from claiming glory but Murray spoiled the party denying each chance.

 

Both players used up all their energy in the three hours and 20 minutes that was played breaking sweat in the indoor court.

 

After displaying the never give up attitude, Murray had won the tournament dropping to the floor showing how tired he was, Robredo showed his feelings by jokingly giving the 27 year-old two middle fingers.

 

 

 

1) Wimbledon Gentlemen Singles Final – Djokovic (SER) bt Roger Federer (SUI)

  

 

In the 2012 semi-finals of Wimbledon, Roger Federer gave Novak Djokovic a big challenge by attempting to overcome one of the best players that had entered the grass courts.

 

Unfortunately for the Serb, he had failed the challenge resulting in missing out on the final.

 

Two years on they both met in the grand final which would be noted as one of the most thrilling finals we had seen on Centre Court.

 

 

 

 

Written by and all credits to: Jamie Davis.

Rafael Nadal overcomes Novak Djokovic to win ninth French Open title

Victory secures fifth consecutive Roland Garros crown

Rafael Nadal saw off the threat of Novak Djokovic for another year to win his ninth French Open title and a record fifth in succession. The Spaniard, 28, coped better in hot conditions as he won 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 in three hours and 31 minutes. Nadal is the first man ever to win a major title nine times, taking his Grand Slam total to 14.

With the victory, Nadal, who will retain the No. 1 ATP ranking, snapped a four-match losing streak to Djokovic and maintained his dominance over his No. 2 rival at the Grand Slam, having now won nine of their twelve meetings at the majors. Nadal’s win moved him into second place with Pete Sampras for most major titles amongst the men with 14 — just three titles behind Roger Federer’s mark of 17. He also extended the record he set last year to become the first man to win nine titles at any Slam.

It was an emotional match for both men, as the two held back tears during the trophy celebration. Djokovic was playing in his second French Open final and was trying to complete his career Grand Slam. He started out well to take the first set and was the better player for a set and a half. However, he appeared to struggle physically under the Parisian sun, and a poor service game at 5-6 in the second set allowed Nadal to break and level the match.

Hot circumstances played a significant role

“It was a great start, [but Nadal] came back in the second. Could have gone to the tiebreak and was quite even,” Djokovic said. “I lost that service game, and then the momentums went his side. I started playing quite bad, you know, and didn’t move as well. Struggled a little bit physically throughout that third set.”

Neither man was able to play their best tennis for the next two sets, but Nadal remained steady. With the pressure of match point for Nadal on his shoulders, Djokovic double-faulted to hand over the trophy.

These kind of big matches obviously take the best out of players, and of course it’s a huge challenge,” Djokovic said. “I tried to do my best. My best wasn’t as the best against him in Rome a couple weeks ago. But, you know, it’s how it is. Congratulations to him. He was a better player in the crucial moments. Of course it’s disappointing for me, but life goes on. It’s not the first time or last time that I lost a match.”

Also interesting to read:

• French Open 2014 Predictions
• French Open 2014 Prize Money

Andy Murray survives his two day match

Murray survives epic final set to reach last 16

Andy Murray found his second wind to finally get the better of Philipp Kohlschreiber, needing 40 minutes on Sunday to complete a 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 12-10 win and reach the French Open fourth round.

The match was suspended at 7-7 in the fifth set on Saturday because of fading light.

Murray crouched down and clenched both fists after hitting a two-handed backhand winner on Kohlschreiber's second serve with the score at 15-40 in the 22nd game.

"I was cramping yesterday. My muscles were obviously fatigued," Murray said. "I actually woke up [feeling] okay ... the nice thing about this surface, compared with the hard court, is when you have a tough match on the hard courts you wake up the next day and your hips are sore, your knees are sore."

Marathon man Murray faces clay-court veteran

After his two-day epic against Philipp Kohlschreiber, will Andy Murray have enough left in the tank against Fernando Verdasco in the Round of 16?

Verdasco, the 24th seed here, also survived a five-set scare of his own against Pablo Cuevas in the second round where he dug out of a two-sets-to-love hole against the Uruguayan. Amazingly, it was the 33rd five-setter of his career and his 17th win over the distance – more than Murray (16-6) and also Rafael Nadal (16-5). The Spaniard’s third round was a more routine 1 hour and 58 minutes against Richard Gasquet, although that too was also carried over to Sunday.

Verdasco had failed to win more than two matches in a row at seven of the nine events he had entered in 2014 prior to coming to Paris. The lone bright spots came at the ATP 1000 event in Miami where he made the fourth round and the 250 event in Houston which he won, defeating compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the final.

Murray’s 2014 on the other hand has been one long return from the back surgery he had in late 2013, but he has nevertheless compiled a 24-9 record with nine wins on clay (three in the Davis Cup). He played Rafael Nadal tough in the quarters of Rome, winning the first set 6-1 and leading in the third before the Majorcan came back to win 7-5.

Murray is a commanding 9-1 against Verdasco, though the two have never met on clay. The man from Madrid will be looking to make Murray run during this one...and maybe push it to a familiar fifth set.

Also interesting to read:

• French Open 2014 Predictions
• French Open 2014 Price Money

Djokovic wins third Rome trophy

Djokovic to strong for Nadal in Rome

HEAD ambassador Novak Djokovic claimed his fourth straight win over Rafael Nadal, lifting a third Rome Masters title 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and heading to the French Open as a major title favourite. Djokovic, armed with the HEAD Graphene Speed, won his fourth match on clay against the Spaniard and came just a week before the start of the French Open, the only major the Serb has yet to win.

Speaking after the win, Djokovic said: "After three years it is a pleasure to win this trophy again. Rafa has such a tough game and is a difficult opponent always with his game and style."

Djokovic, meanwhile, reports his wrist is better after he withdrew from Madrid to rest the injury. ''Luckily for me I played with no pain, increasing the level of my tennis," he said.

Meanwhile, Nadal put on a brave face after his defeat which followed a tough three-set win over Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.

“I was able to compete good with one of the best players of the moment,” said Nadal. “My chances to play well at Roland Garros two weeks ago weren’t very high, now I arrive at Roland Garros with more encouragement.”

Djokovic has now claimed Rome honours in 2008, 2011 and at this edition. It was Djokovic’s 19th career Masters title and his 19th win against Nadal in 41 meetings.

Nadal and Djokovic to battle for No.1 at French Open

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will compete for the No. 1 ranking at the French Open, where a meeting in the final between the two would decide the top spot.

According to the ATP, Djokovic would also become No. 1 if Nadal does not reach the semifinals. If the Serb reaches the quarterfinals, Nadal would need to win the title to stay No. 1.

Also interesting to read:

• Prize Money French Open 2014
• Andy Murray's next coach

Roland Garros Increases Player Prize Money for 2014

Prize money pool Roland Garros rises to £20.6m

 

Ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year, the French tennis federation (FFT) has confirmed a €3 million increase in prize money, with the winner of the Coupe des Mousquetaires and Coupe Suzanne Lenglen taking home €150,000 more than 2013 champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

 

However, the biggest pay increases come for those falling in the earlier rounds in Paris. Players who are beaten in the second round will take home €42,000 and third round losers will pick up €72,000, an increase of 20 percent, while those who fall in the fourth round will see a 25% increase with a cheque for €125,000. The FFT added that the men's and women's champions would benefit from a 10% rise in earnings, each banking €1.65m for winning the singles titles in Paris.

"This noticeable progression of the Roland Garros prize money is part of the four-year plan for the 2013-16 period," tournament director and FFT general director Gilbert Ysern said in a statement. 

 

Price money pool other Grand Slams

In comparison, Australian Open has increased their 2014 prize money to $33 US dollars which is not almost on par with Wimbledon and US Open. All the grand slams are in competition of their own as to become the highest paying grand slam which will attract players interest more as well as the crowd and US Open authorties has made a plan to increase the US Open grand slam total prize money to $50 Million in the next few years.

 

 Also interesting to read:

• Elena Baltacha