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.

Recap: the US Open 2014

From August 25 on we have all enjoyed watching the US Open. It has been a tournament with lots of surprises and many highlights for different players.

The tournament has shown that the top of the men’s tennis is getting more vulnerable. The absence of Nadal and the relapse of Murray were clearly visible in the third quarter of the playing schedule. However, even the rest of the top men players could not make it to the final. This meant that for the first time in years there was a final that was not played by one of the famous names like Nadal, federer or Djokovic. Does this mean a new era starts with new names at the top?

The women also showed us some amazing matches after which the powerful Serena Williams eventually won her third title in a row by winning the final from Wozniacki.

Here are some movies from the most high-profile matches and other highlights of the tournament.

The women's final:

The men’s final: 

Wozniackie vs Errani 

Cilic vs Federer    

Williams vs Makarova    

Djokovic vs Murray     

Roger Federer's half volley lob shot

Hot dog shot of Ivan Dodig

Amazing shot of Monfils    

Sometimes Monfils makes the most crazy shots: 

There were also some funny moments during the tournament.

After all the US Open, again, was a controversial tournament during which we have enjoyed watching all the players.

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

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

Can the ATP schedule be changed?

Despite the rumblings about possible player strikes, meetings and the like since the problem riddled 2011 US open, this weeks Shanghai Masters is pressing on as normal. Unfortunately two of the worlds top four players, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, have played no part due to injury.

As a result, the ongoing debate about the men's tennis schedule has not gone away. Some continue to say the off season is far too short, just over a month from the end of the ATP finals to the new season, while others point out that only 12 tournaments or compulsory and a maximum of 18 tournaments count towards the rankings. In theory, a player could get away with playing just 12 tournaments a year, yet many choose to play more than 18.

But if the calendar was to be restructured, there are definitely ways it could be done.

The first thing that jumps out to me is that four of the nine Masters Series tournaments are in North America. The US open series (Cincinnati and Toronto/Montreal) makes perfect sense - but is there a need for both Miami and Indian Wells right before the clay court season? If any tournaments feel out of place I'd say it's these two. At least one could go, or they could perhaps alternate every other year like Toronto and Montreal. One could potentially be downgraded to a 500, and slot into the pre US Open schedule. Sure, there'd be less top players, but you could also argue that interest in tennis would be higher around the time of the Open.

Another option would be to push back the Australian Open a little bit, perhaps by 3 or 4 weeks, and place the Asian swing at the start of the season. The Shanghai Masters already boasts an extravagant retractable roof, so it could potentially be turned into an indoor hard tournament. Other Asian tournaments, such as Bangkok, would have an ideal climate in January so wouldn't need to be changed at all. As a result, everything after the US open could move forward slightly, and with a little restructuring of a few 250 and 500 tournaments, perhaps incorporating the South American clay court swing with the regular clay court season, there would definitely be potential for an earlier finish and perhaps a slightly later start.

The later start could potentially be sacrificed by moving the first round of the Davis Cup to the very start of the season. Most players will be fresh, and will only play a maximum of three matches in a Davis cup tie, it would be a great, entertaining way of getting warmed up for the long season ahead.

These solutions aren't perfect, and may or may not be better than the current schedule. But if something is to be changed, they are perhaps the most viable options in a calendar with little room for maneuver.