Top 5 tennis matches of 2014

Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena WilliamsAs the curtains have fallen over both men’s and women’s tier of tennis associations, it would be fitting to turn back the clock and relive the most epic encounters in tennis arena. Unlike 2013, which saw the elite players of ATP and WTA completely dominating the court, this season saw the underdogs rising to the occasion and giving the top players a run for their money.Here’s the list of top 5 matches that enthralled the tennis lovers:

#1 US Open men\'s quarterfinal: Kei Nishikori v Stanislas Wawrinka

Nishikori d. Wawrinka 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), 6-7(5), 6-4

Matches are considered epic not for their sheer time on the match clock. They are called epic for the heroics of the players on-court, for the records it makes and unmakes, and for the stacks to be won – and lost.

One such rare triumvirate was witnessed in this game which ended at 2.30AM. Kei, the Japanese prodigy, came into the match after he saw off Milos Raonic in another 5-set mega match.

Somehow, he found his strength to stand toe to toe against the Swiss, and was able to oust the Australian Open Champion in a physically and emotionally taxing duel. In the process, Nishikori became the first Japanese since 1918 to break into the last four of US Open.

#2 WTA Finals semifinal: Caroline Wozniacki v Serena Williams

Williams d. Wozniacki 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4)

If they are known as “Best Friends” off-court, they are equally famous as “Rivals” on-court. Caroline and Serena rebelled in Singapore and brought the spectators at the edge of the seat. Wozniaki came into the match with a lot of confidence after winning all her round robin matches, while Serena looked far from her imperious self.

It looked certain for a while that the Dane will exact a loss on her friend when she served for the match in the deciding set, and also when she raced ahead with a 4-1 lead in the tie-break. But Wozniaki slithered before the last mile and Serena gave her friend no other opportunities.

#3 French Open women\'s final: Maria Sharapova v Simona Halep

Sharapova d. Halep 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4

WTA players are infamous for not holding their serves. But such inability possesses in its meek self the opportunity to construct an epic battle. It was exemplary in this Grand slam final, where both players failed to protect their serves from breaking and allowed the other player to make a comeback from nothing.

For the umpteenth time, Sharapova looked few games away from victory, and for the umpteenth time, the gritty Halep found her way into the game. After failing to close out the match in straights, Sharapova held her nerves and serves to win one of the most thrilling encounters of the season.

#4 Australian Open men\'s quarterfinal: Novak Djokovic v Stanislas Wawrinka

Wawrinka d. Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7

Last year, Stan Wawrinka was few points from victory against the Serb at the Rod Laver Arena. This time, however, he did not let nerves take control of him at the crunch moments. Novak Djokovic, who was seeking his 4th Australian Open title, missed an easy volley on the match point to lose for the first time in 3 years on the Australian hard court.

Wawrinka, buoyed by his thrilling victory, later won his first ever Grand Slam by defeating Rafael Nadal in the finals.

#5 Wimbledon men\'s final: Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer

Djokovic d. Federer 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4

The Wimbledon finals have become more of a theatre of late. The drama and the historic tale that unfold over the rugged green patch are in no sense inferior to classic European theatre. One such epic chapter was written this year when Federer and Djokovic played their hearts out at the centre court of Wimbledon.

Federer showed why he is Roger Federer when he made a quintessential Champions comeback in the 4th set when he trailed his Serbian counterpart 2-5. But Djokovic displayed his characteristic grit in the deciding set, and took home his 7th grandslam.