I've recently been re-watching some of my favourite matches from ages ago that I had recorded, and it got me to thinking:

What are your favourite matches? What are the ones that you enjoy watching again, or would if you'd recorded them? And what are your reasons for those particular matches - for example it might be a match between WR 1 and 2 showcasing the best talent in the game at the time, but it doesn't have to be, it could be maybe a thrillingly tight contest between lower ranked players, or a truly seminal match in a player's career that was a real turning point for them, or maybe it was simply a really enjoyable, entertaining match.

I know I've got my own shortlist somewhere, but just to throw a few out off the top of my head;

Wimbledon 2008 Final Nadal vs Federer - Arguably if not actually the greatest tennis match of recent years, I love it because it was a true epic of a match, chock full of astoundingly high quality tennis and pushing the boundaries of the best that tennis can offer, the epitome of the modern great rivalry between two tennis giants at the top of the game, it went right down to the wire and was such a closely fought contest that it could have gone either way until the very end, and it was a completely sublime performance from both men.  On top of that, it was a stratospheric moment in Nadal's career, encapsulating that feeling throughout 2008 of Nadal sitting of top of the world and riding the crest of that wave, and the atmosphere around that late night victory was amazing.

US Open 2008 Semifinal Murray vs Nadal - Possibly Andy's best ever performance against Nadal, and another seminal moment as it was his first victory over Nadal. A build up of tension preceded this match since Andy's defeat at Rafa's hands at Wimbledon quarterfinals earlier that year, since which time Andy's meteoric improvement in his game had been a true joy to watch. For me this match was almost the culmination of that drive in 2008, a prospect which pre-match everyone was salivating over, and waiting with bated breath as we wondered if this would be Andy's moment to crack that run of losses against the man of the moment. The suspense was further built up by the match running over two days due to the rain, but what a contest it was! Both players exerting themselves to the utmost, but in the end an utterly masterful victory from Andy. There was no better moment than, towards the end of the match, seeing Andy's stunning quality of play leave Rafa bent over double in the dust. Outplayed, pure and simple. Fantastic stuff.

Aussie Open 2009 Semifinal Verdasco vs Nadal - Competing with the Wimbly 2008 Final for the best match of recent times. Verdasco surprises us all after the winter break by finally giving us a glimpse of his full talent and putting together a consistent run at the AO, shocking Murray and Tsonga out of the event on his way to this match. Another epic in its length, but fast paced, both Verdasco and Nadal pouring their full passion into their play, a real hot cracker of a contest. At times the quality of tennis so high that it invites disbelief. In the end only a single point more was won by Nadal than Verdasco, and for a long while it looked likely that Verdasco would be superseding Nadal as the electric Spaniard on Tour. Potentially a revolutionary match for Verdasco's career, though sadly his form faded in following months. Truly awesome.

Madrid Masters 2009 Semifinal Djokovic vs Nadal - Not the best tennis on Tour throughout, as Nadal's form dipped and wavered throughout this one, but a gripping contest that kept me on the edge of my seat. Djokovic had spent the whole clay court season so far trying to overcome one of his biggest bugbears - Nadal on clay - each time tiptoeing a little closer to achieving his goal. For long stretches, Djokovic dominated with a masterclass of form and Nadal just clinging on, and we thought surely this would be Djokovic's breakthrough. But as we know, Nadal never gives up, and the Spaniard dug his heels in at the end of the third set. Even then it seemed like Djokovic would prevail as he had multiple match points, but somehow, unbelievably, Rafa pulled the rabbit out of the magic box. Crazy crazy points in that final showdown. Definitely worth a second look, in my book.



Just a handful from my list, there are many more on there which I'll probably extol on later. But you guys get the idea for now.