10 best images from tennis in 2015

The year saw several brilliant tennis matches, with some long-time rivals facing off and stretching each other to the limit as they fought tooth and nail for titles all year.2015 may have by and large been the Novak Djokovic show as the Fab Four became the Fab One and the dominant Serb held serve, court, game, set, match and then some! But he was tested by rivals old and new, all of whom played some great tennis and gave fans a teaser of what’s to come in the new year.Here are tennis’ 10 best images from this year.

#11 Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis end the year as No. 1

India’s tennis star Sania Mirza has had more than her fair share of struggle - with her game, detractors and critics, and powered through this year as she overcame every obstacle to become doubles tennis’ standout star.

Paired with prodigy and tennis great, former World No. 1 Martina Hingis, the pair took victory after victory to end the year as World No. 1, following which they also won the world-ending WTA Tour Finals.

#9 Serena beats Sharapova for the 16th straight time

They’re two of the greatest players in the history of women’s tennis, and Serena Williams’ power was absolutely undeniable as she took on Maria Sharapova at the finals of the 2015 Australian Open. Williams progressed to the final this year, eventually winning her 6th straight title at the venue.

In the process, she took her 16th straight victory over Sharapova.. but it was not without its share of drama. Hitting an ace that would have won her the set and match, it went unnoticed by the umpire, who called a let.

As a rejoinder, Williams effortlessly fired off another one, this time leaving nothing to chance.

#8 Djokovic Dances

Novak Djokovic defeated Austrian ace Andreas Haider-Maurer in the early stages of the US Open, and an excited fan at the Billie Jean King tennis stadium decided he wanted to celebrate with the Djoker.

The fun-loving Serb was only too happy to oblige, and swung a towel as he danced around with the American fan.

#7 Roger Federer becomes oldest Wimbledon Finalist in 40 years

It was Novak Djokovic who took the ultimate victory, but Roger Federer took on home player Andy Murray at the semi-finals of the Championships this year. An old hand at the tournament, Federer has won it a mammoth seven times.

Despite a strong showing by Murray, the Scot was unable to trump the Swiss Maestro, whose serves and shots remained flawless all through. In winning the semi-final match, then 33-year-old Roger Federer became the oldest ever finalist at Wimbledon in over 40 years.

#6 Fognini upsets Nadal at US Open

Fabio Fognini, ranked 21st, faced a familiar rival in former No. 1 Rafael Nadal at the US Open this year. It was the Spaniard who had won 6 of their previous matches, with the odds stacked humongously against the Italian.

Fognini had already won a Grand Slam in 2015 going into the US Open, having partnered compatriot Simone Bollleli to a straight-sets victory over French pair Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the Australian Open.

Perhaps it was that confidence that bolstered him; although he did not progress beyond the third round of the US Open, Fognini tested Nadal, who had even taken the first two sets, managing to choke the Spaniard, who lost the next three sets to crash out of the tournament.

#5 Roberta Vinci shocks Serena

...but it was the Italian who was left shocked in the end! Vinci upset World No. 1 and home favourite Serena to progress to the finals of the US Open, a tournament Williams had been expected to win in convincing fashion.

Shaking hands with Williams after the win, it appears Vinci still could not believe her fortune.

#4 Dance of Champions

2015’s Wimbledon Singles Champions, World No. 1s Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, celebrated their respective wins at the Champions’ dinner..by dancing to the Bee Gees!

#3 Stan Wawrinka wins the French Open

Overcome with emotion, a blazing Stan Wawrinka won the French Open this year, his second career Grand Slam, and in the process denied Novak Djokovic the Calendar Slam in 2015.

#2 Flavia Pennetta wins the US Open

Can’t believe it!

After home favourite Serena Williams crashed out in the semi-finals, Flavia Pennetta defeated her countrywoman Roberta Vinci to take the only Grand Slam singles title of her career, and her second overal,following which she announced she would be retiring from tennis at the end of the year.

#1 Fedal Forever

Long-time rivals, friends for life. Nadal may lead the pair’s head-to-head record 23-11, but at their most recent ATP Tour meeting at the Swiss Indoors Tournament in Basel, Federer beat Nadal in three sets.

The pair hugged after Federer’s win, showing just how highly the pair regard each other.