Memorable Grand Slam Tennis Matches
November 5th, 2014 by Do It Tennis
1) Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer, Wimbledon Final 2008:
Photo: the-tennis-freaks.com
Perhaps one of the greatest rivalries in tennis, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, met again for a third year in a row at the Wimbledon final match in 2008. Federer had been champion 5 years running and was out to claim his prize and continue his reign. Nadal wanted to give Federer a run for his money. Fresh off of his fourth consecutive French Open win, Nadal was ready for another Grand Slam. Winning the first two sets, Nadal saw victory in his future, but Federer couldn’t let him have it. Federer held on and ended up winning the next two sets. It was then up to a game deciding final set. A very tough, nail-biting final set crowned Nadal the victor. Winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7, Nadal joined only two other players in history to go from winning the French open, which is clay, to winning Wimbledon, which is grass, in the same season.
2) John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut, Wimbledon 2010:
Photo: news.bbc..co.uk
Wimbeldon has given the world a plethora of Grand Slam tennis matches. This one, from Wimbledon 2010, pitted American John Isner against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. The two battled it out in the first round of singles, and the match is on record as the longest in tennis history at 11 hours and 5 minutes. This Grand Slam tennis match also had the highest number of games with one set at 70-68 and a total of 183 games played. This Wimbeldon match took a total of three days because of the loss of light. Both players kept winning their service games. In an exhausting battle to the end, American John Isner beat the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. Once the game was over, it received special recognition and also broke many records. Isner had the most aces in a match by one player at 112, while Mahut had the most points won in a match at 502.
3) Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic Australian Open Finals 2012:
Photo: sportstraffic.blogspot.com
The singles final of the 2012 Australian Open was another epic Grand Slam match. This tennis match was the longest grand slam final match ever played, clocking in at 5 hours, 53 minutes. Djokovic and Nadal fought tooth and nail for the title. The first and second sets were close fought, but Nadal won, 7-5. Djokovic battled back and won the second set 6-4. The third set was an easy win for Djokovic at 6-2 and the fourth set was a tie break at 7-6 (7-5) that Nadal won. The final set was the ultimate battle. Djokovic ultimately took the last set at 7-5 and won the match. This was a gut-wrenching loss for Nadal, a euphoric win for Djokovic and a crowd pleaser for the audience.
4) Andre Agassi’s final match:
Photo: legacy.decaturdaily.com
This Grand Slam match was about more than just tennis. It was about the end of an era and the amazing career of the American, Andre Agassi. Although he lost his final match 7-5, 6-7,6-4,7-5 in 2006 against Benjamin Becker in the US Open, the match was a bittersweet farewell to a packed stadium. In his career, he had 8 grand slams, and 60 titles. Although the tennis may not have been amazing, the heart and class that Agassi played with was. The crowd didn’t seem to care what the outcome of the game was, they were just happy to watch a tennis great.
5) Andre Agassi vs. James Blake, U.S Open quarter finals:
Photo: people.com
Agassi gave us so many great Grand Slam tennis matches. This one, against fellow American James Blake on American soil in the 2005 US Open quarterfinals, was a late night match with a rather full Arthur Ashe stadium. It was a must-watch and even went past midnight. This captivating match ended with Andre Agassi wining 3-6, 3-6, 6-3,6-3, 7-6, but James Blake still put on a spectacular show. It was all together a fun and electrifying experience for everybody.
6) Pete Sampras’ last match:
Photo: news.bbc.co.uk
In 2002, at the U.S. Open, another tennis great hung up his towel after a well-fought final match. American Pete Sampras ended his career with a great match against Andre Agassi at the 2002 U.S. Open. Sampras ended up winning the final 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and ended his amazing career with a bang. The American knew it was his time and decided to retire on a high note with one more title under his belt.
7) Kim Clijsters vs Serena Williams, 2009 U.S. Open final:
Photo: essentialtennis.com
This match was an upset for reasons other than the tennis playing. Clijsters was playing a very strong physical and mental tennis game against Serena. Serena had already received a warning for breaking her tennis racquet in the first set, which she lost 4-6. When Clijsters was up 6-5 at 40:15, a foot-fault call against Serena was just enough to send her over the edge. After Serena made some threatening gestures and muttered some not-so-nice words, the officials came out in hopes to make some clarifications. This being her second code violation, her actions cost her the game, set, and match. Serena then walked over to a very baffled Clijsters and nonchalantly shook her hand, knowing the match was over on her part. Clijsters ended up defeating her 6-4, 7-5 because of the call, but we’re sure Clijsters didn’t want it to end that way. It was the call heard around the world and it definitely affected Serena’s popularity.
8) Gael Monfils vs. Roger Federer, U.S Open (2014).
Photo: dnaindia.com
Monfils’ showmanship and hard work lands this year’s quarterfinal at the US Open a spot on the Grand Slam list. This quarterfinal match was high energy and fun to watch. More people watched this match than the NFL game being broadcasted simultaneously. Like most of Monfils’ matches, he didn’t fail to amaze the crowd, but this match was different. He was playing some of the best tennis of his life. He was surprisingly up the first two sets 6-4, 6-3, but Federer wasn’t going to give up that easy. Federer ended up demolishing Monfils in the following sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. This match was gripping and showed that Monfils has what it takes to one day make it to a final.
9) Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams, 2003 French Open final.
Photo: sikids.com
Every time the Williams sisters step on the court, anticipation rises. There is always the question of who will beat who? This French Open final was one of the better matches they had played that year. Serena was after the title of her 4th Grand Slam in a row. Venus played well, but she couldn’t seem to close it out against her younger sister, and she ended up losing 6-7, 6-3, 4-6. Though there were plenty of errors on Serena’s end, she got her fourth consecutive grand slam win, being coined the “Serena Slam.” No matter the ending, they were still sisters and they hugged it out in the end.
10) Ivan Lendl vs. John McEnroe, 1984 French Open:
Photo: dailymail.co.uk
Lendl vs. McEnroe is a classic example of a great comeback from the underdog. In the 1984 French Open final, John McEnroe was on a winning streak at 39 matches in a row, and he was out for number 40. For the most part, John McEnroe appeared to be the obvious winner, but then something surprising happened: McEnroe was slipping. Lendl came back and ended up winning 3-6, 2-6, 6-4,7 -5, 7-5. The Czech beat the American in a comeback and won the title, ending McEnroe’s winning streak.
These Grand Slam Tennis matches are prime examples of how amazing this great sport can be. From upsets and surprises, to showmanship and pure genuine class, tennis is one exciting sport to watch. Do you have a favorite Grand Slam tennis match we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments.
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