Matches for the Ages – The Top 10 Battles of the Decade

What are the elements that make up a classic match?

First and foremost, there is the quality of play. Audacious shotmaking, power, precision, creativity, athleticism and intensity are paramount, and these factors enhance the entertainment level of a match enormously. Secondary factors also contribute to separate the great matches from the good. The atmosphere of the crowd plays a significant role – it is fantastic when the crowd is obviously mesmerized and riding every shot with the players.

The occasion surrounding the match is also noteworthy. Is it being played at the business end of a major? Is it being held on a stadium court? Does it feature the best players in the world, or mark the latest chapter of an absorbing rivalry? Is it a grudge match, or a battle for revenge? Finally, matches that are consistently referenced by the media and discussed long after they were completed should not be discounted or ignored. With these factors in mind, here is a list of the best 10 matches of the past decade:

(10) Serena Williams def. Elena Dementieva 67(4) 75 86 – 2009 Wimbledon SF
In a year when the women’s game failed to produce the level of tennis we have become accustomed to in the past decade, this match really stood out. Williams and Dementieva have developed an intriguing rivalry over time, and going into this match, Williams narrowly lead the head-to-head at 5-3. This was the first time the Russian had even snatched a set off Williams in Grand Slam play, with all of her wins over the American coming at regular Tour events. The crowd was enthralled as the two veterans engaged in a magnificent battle from the baseline, with the grunting, power and intensity all strongly amplified.

Dementieva may never have played better in a Grand Slam match, and has certainly never served as well. Against anybody else, she probably would have won. But, typically, Williams played better when it counted most. She saved a match point deep in the third set with a daring venture to the net, ending the point with a backhand volley that clipped the net tape. Using her dominant serve to full effect – she served 20 aces for the match – Williams eventually served out the match in two hours and 49 minutes.
Highlight Reel: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

(9) Serena Williams def. Maria Sharapova 26 75 86 – 2005 Australian Open SF
The match pitted two of tennis’ biggest stars against one another, both renowned for their power, mental strength and intensity. It certainly did not disappoint. Sharapova appeared on track to defeat her older opponent for the third consecutive time – having beaten her in the 2004 Wimbledon and Tour Championship finals – after winning the first set 6-2 and serving for the match at 5-4 in the second. Williams scraped her way out of trouble to clinch that set, but soon found herself down match point in the final set when Sharapova again attempted to serve it out at 5-4.

Saving a total of three match points – many with clean winners – Williams kept herself alive as the two women fought out some of the most intense rallies ever seen in the game. There was excellent shotmaking from both sides of the net, particularly impressive given the pressure that comes with such a tight scoreline. In the end it was Williams’ superior athleticism and ability to play error-free tennis under pressure that allowed her to claim a famous victory. She has never lost to Sharapova since.
Highlight Reel

(8) Justine Henin def. Venus Williams 76(2) 64 – 2007 US Open SF
“I wasn’t happy with the result at all [Henin’s defeat of Serena in the 2007 US Open quarterfinals]. I will definitely have to try to win for Williams.” Venus set the stage for a thrilling battle, which pitted the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champions against each other. What ensued was one of the greatest women’s matches ever played, and the only reason that it wasn’t higher on this list is because it was a straight-sets affair. The standard of tennis was breath-taking, in particular the point that begins at the 2:13 mark of the highlights package. Both women displayed their full repertoire of shots, competed ferociously, used all areas of the court and chased down seemingly irretrievable balls. The large crowd at Arthur Ashe stadium was enthralled, and Henin prevailed after two hours, displaying more aggression and intensity at the crucial junctures of the match.
Highlight Reel

(7) Amelie Mauresmo def. Justine Henin 26 63 64 – 2006 Wimbledon F
This was somewhat of a grudge match, with Henin having retired from the pair’s previous Grand Slam final in Australia while trailing in the second set. And, in a unique twist for a modern women’s match, this encounter featured regular serve-and-volleying. It was traditional grasscourt tennis at its finest – athletic dashes to the net, crisp volleying, relentless attacking, single-handed backhands and a captivated Centre Court crowd. The match showcased both Henin and Mauresmo’s ability to improvise and conjure shots that most other women on the tour are incapable of (evidence of this can be found at the 6:45 minute mark of the highlights reel).

Henin began strongest, motivated to win the only tournament missing from her Grand Slam set. Mauresmo bounced back in the second set, and continued her momentum into the third set, going up 3-1 and continuing to effectively execute her strategy in the increasingly tense environment. She remained steady despite her notoriously fragile nerves and held at bay one of the game’s best fighters, serving out the match in just over two hours. Seeing Mauresmo sink to her knees in elation after clinching match point was one of the more emotional moments in sport.
Highlight Reel

(6) Justine Henin def. Serena Williams 62 46 75 – 2003 French Open SF
This match lives on in infamy thanks to Henin’s failure to admit that she held her hand up when Williams sent down a serve during the final set. It was also a high-quality affair, emotional and atmospheric, punctuated with fabulous rallies. Williams entered the match having won 33 straight Grand Slam matches, and was the defending champion at Roland Garros. Henin represented the main threat to her supremacy on clay, having won in Charleston and Berlin leading up to Paris. The Belgian began strongly, racing to a one-set lead. Her backhand down-the-line was exquisite, and she used her vast array of shots to neutralise the power of her more-fancied opponent. Williams’ confidence and fight shone through in the second set, and she levelled proceedings thanks to some powerful shotmaking.

The third set was highly memorable. Williams raced ahead to a 4-2 lead as the Parisian crowd increasingly supported Henin, and this support reached fever pitch when Williams correctly signalled an out ball that the linesperson had not called. Their whistling and jeering was what caused Henin to raise her hand as Williams served. Buoyed by this support, Henin reeled in Williams’ lead with some inspired play, and served out the match on her second attempt, her superior claycourt nous the decisive factor. Completing the dramatic affair was the icy handshake between the two women and Williams being booed off Court Philippe Chatrier.
Highlight Reel: Part One | Part Two

(5) Jennifer Capriati def. Martina Hingis 46 76(7) 62 – 2002 Australian Open F
In searing heat, Capriati and Hingis played out one of the most dramatic and emotional matches in women’s tennis history. The quality of the tennis was slightly compromised by the unforgiving conditions, however, Hingis’ intelligent play for a set-and-a-half, Capriati’s mental strength when confronted with four match points and the atmosphere generated by the passionate crowd made this match an obvious inclusion in the list.

Hingis was the superior player in the beginning, taking the ball early, controlling the points and remaining focused as Capriati lost her cool over a close line-call. Despite going ahead 6-4, 4-0, it wasn’t enough. Capriati swung freely when she faced the match points, and eventually took the second set after a tightly-fought tiebreak. Hingis fell apart in the third set, and Capriati swept to victory, her superior physical fitness shining through. It was awful to see Hingis so shattered after the match – so close to victory after years without a Grand Slam title, her career arguably never fully recovered. However, Capriati had to be commended for her amazing fighting spirit, and it remains the greatest ever comeback in a women’s Grand Slam final.
Highlight Reel

(4) Venus Williams def. Martina Hingis 46 63 75 – 2000 US Open SF
This was, quite simply, a sensational match. Some of the rallies rank among the best ever seen – a must-see on the highlights reel is the point beginning at 5:28. Martina and Venus threw absolutely everything at each other during this match, successfully combining power, touch, angles and ventures to the net. The intense nature of the rallies, where both women repeatedly chased down balls in all corners of the court, highlighted just how fit both players were. The fact that there was no love lost between Venus and Martina contributed to a more ferocious contest. Hingis played exemplary tennis to lead 5-3 in the final set, but Williams’ superior power was always going to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the match. Desperate to atone for her narrow defeat to Hingis at the same stage of the previous years’ tournament, Williams hit for the lines and came up with the winners when she needed them most. She reeled off four straight games for victory, ending a magnificent battle that had the huge crowd utterly absorbed.
Highlight Reel

(3) Venus Williams def. Lindsay Davenport 46 76(4) 97 – 2005 Wimbledon F
On one side of the net, you had Lindsay Davenport’s bitter disappointment, one point away from a Wimbledon title in a match that represented one of her last realistic opportunities to claim a major. On the other side, you had Venus Williams, jumping for joy as the magnitude of her achievement began to sink in. It was truly a classic match that took viewers on an emotional roller-coaster. At two hours and 45 minutes, the longest Wimbledon women’s final in history saw the two veterans engage in some enthralling rallies that featured hard, flat, deep hitting and incredible court coverage.

Always the sign of an exceptional match, the standard lifted when the circumstances got tighter. Davenport’s back seized in the latter stages of the final set, and she was visibly hampered between points. Ignoring the discomfort, she reached match point when receiving at 4-5, and was also two points from victory at both 5-6 and 6-7. Williams courageously raised her level when down, and fought off Davenport’s advances. The pivotal point came with Williams down 15-30 when serving at 6-7 (beginning at 9:35 of the Part 2 highlights). A 25-stroke rally ensued, which Williams won with a forehand winner. The subsequent sight of Davenport hunched over her racquet indicated that she was physically and emotionally spent. Williams would go on to sweep the final three games and claim her first major title in nearly four years.
Highlight Reel: Part One | Part Two | Part Three

(2) Martina Hingis def. Serena Williams 62 36 86 – 2001 Australian Open QF
The first two sets featured highly impressive tennis. The final set was simply sublime. Martina Hingis and Serena Williams produced one of the greatest shows ever during their Australian Open match in 2001, played under a closed roof on Rod Laver Arena. Both were at their highest level throughout the match, and the contrast in playing styles was fantastic. Williams’ athleticism is incredible, her serving exceptional, and her power both effortless yet awe-inspiring. Hingis exhibits perfect technique, highlighted by efficient stroke production, excellent court positioning, a magnificent backhand and the ability to take the ball incredibly early.

It combined to create scintillating tennis that captivated the crowd – the best examples of this are at the 7:49 and 8:55 marks of the Part 2 highlights. Interestingly, Williams barely grunted during the match, a far cry from many of the battles she has taken part in throughout her career. She went ahead 4-1 in the final set and even served for the match at 5-4, but Hingis showed enormous fight while maintaining a calm head to level proceedings. The pair continued to trade spectacular blows until Hingis scored the decisive break in the final game. Match point was a fitting finale; Hingis sealed victory with a powerful drive volley and secure overhead. Although Hingis and Williams were not the best of friends, they shared a respectful handshake that capped a wonderful contest.
Highlight Reel: Part One | Part Two

(1) Justine Henin def. Jennifer Capriati 46 75 76(4) – 2003 US Open SF
If Capriati’s comeback in the 2002 Australian Open final is considered one of the best, then Justine Henin’s come-from-behind victory to defeat her in New York in 2003 must rank similarly. Facing a hostile crowd, a relentless opponent and severe thigh cramps, Henin simply refused to lie down and produced one of the most emotionally-charged comebacks in history. Although she began well to lead 4-1, Henin soon found herself overwhelmed by Capriati’s intensity, and the American roared back to claim the opening set 6-4 and lead 5-3 in the second.

A combination of Henin’s inspired shotmaking and Capriati’s tentative play allowed the Belgian to level proceedings, but she soon found herself down 5-2 in the final set, and the excitable New York crowd sensed a Capriati victory. Henin had other ideas. She took the match to her older opponent and frustrated the American with her persistence, particularly when she was hobbled with cramps throughout the latter stages of the set. This match gets the nod as the best of the decade because it really had it all – the drama, emotion, atmosphere and level of tennis were stratospheric. Playing out some amazing points, both players conjured some magical shots that will forever remain on highlights reels (especially the point at the 1:07 mark of the highlights).

Capriati’s behaviour throughout the contest was at times bizarre. Her angry rants at linespeople, manic revving-up of the crowd and desperate flailing of her arms when she suffered setbacks indicated mental fragility. It contributed to Henin’s victory, and when the two reached the third set tiebreak, Henin’s greater focus and calm allowed her to navigate through her pain and the tension of the situation to record a rousing win. Collapsing to the court in relief, exhaustion and elation all at once, Henin spent the night on an intravenous drip before playing in the final against Kim Clijsters less than 24 hours later. Remarkably, she won that too.
Highlight Reel

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Jennifer Capriati def. Kim Clijsters 16 64 1210 – 2001 French Open F
Coming through on top in an epic final set was further proof of Capriati’s renaissance, and properly announced Clijsters to the tennis world.

Serena Williams def. Jennifer Capriati 62 36 75 – 2002 Italian Open SF
A fantastic slugfest between two of the sport’s grittiest competitors. Arguably the best match within the course of the pair’s compelling rivalry.

Serena Williams def. Kim Clijsters 46 63 75 – 2003 Australian Open SF
The finest example of Serena’s ability to conjure her best tennis when the pressure is on. Recovering from 5-1 down in the third set and saving two match points along the way, she reached her fourth straight major final.

Kim Clijsters def. Venus Williams 46 75 61 – 2005 US Open QF
A magnificent match featuring exceptional rallies and two of the finest athletes in the game. Williams faded in the third set, and Clijsters went on to win the tournament.

Justine Henin def. Maria Sharapova 46 61 64 – 2006 Australian Open SF
A high-quality affair played indoors at Rod Laver Arena. Henin’s versatility won out in the end, but not before Sharapova impressed the crowd with her shotmaking and fighting spirit.

Serena Williams def. Justine Henin 06 75 63 – 2007 Miami F
The resumption of one of tennis’ greatest rivalries. Having not played for four years, the pair turned on an absorbing display, with Williams coming back from 6-0, 5-4, 40-15 down to record a stirring victory.

Justine Henin def. Maria Sharapova 57 75 63 – 2007 Tour Championships F
A fitting finale to the 2007 season. Henin and Sharapova engaged in a gruelling three-and-a-half hour battle, with the Belgian capping a magnificent year by clinching victory.

Matt Trollope is a journalist from Melbourne, Australia. He has covered the past two Australian Opens for the tournament’s official website.