Top Ten Moments of the 2010 Season – Part One
Although not as eventful and controversial as 2009, the 2010 tennis season had its moments and happenings. As the year wraps up, we here at bettor.com take a look at the top ten moments of the season.
10. Justine Henin almost clinches a Grand Slam upon return
The former world number one, Justine Henin returned to the world of tennis in 2010 after having secured retirement in 2008. With her fans anxiously awaiting her return to the Grand Slams, Henin did her best to please her fans.
Competing in the first major of the year, Henin was a wildcard entrant at the Australian Open. Immediately reviving her lost glory, Henin moved past Kirsten Flipkens, Elena Dementieva, Alisa Kleybanova and Nadia Petrova to secure a spot in the semis. Defeating
Zheng Jie from China, Henin found herself in the final. However, she was denied a title win at the event by American Serena Williams.
9. Novak Djokovic forced the exit of Roger Federer at the United States Open semis
The rising Serb, Novak Djokovic tasted sweet victory in his semi final match at the 2010 United States Open after having been ousted from the event for three straight years by Roger Federer. With two set wins each and the score
showing 4-5 (15-40) in the decider, Djokovic saved two match points to win three straight games and forced the exit of the Swiss phenomenon after three hours and forty minutes. Losing 7-5, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 5-7, Federer was denied a chance at the seventh straight
win at the event.
8. Federer ousted by eventual finalist Tomas Berdych on the former’s own turf
Czech Tomas Berdych stunned fans all over when he forced the exit of Wimbledon’s favourite Roger Federer from the event. Playing each other in the quarterfinals, Berdych defeated Federer with the scoreboard showing 6-4, 3-6, 6-1,
6-4. Federer was denied his eighth consecutive win at the event. Berdych met and defeated Djokovic at the semis to meet Rafael Nadal in the finals. Berdych, however, was denied a title win by the number one Spaniard.
7. Serena Williams made history at the Australian Open
American superstar Serena Williams broke another record in the history of tennis by holding the title at the Australian Open for the fifth time. Serena moved into the quarterfinals without a single set loss. Doing away with Victoria
Azarenka, Serena moved into the semis to meet Li Na. After defeating Li Na, Serena defeated Justine Henin in the finals to lift her fifth title at Melbourne Park. Alternating, since 2003, Serena has held a title at the event.
6. Rafael Nadal defeats Andy Murray in London in a three-hour thriller
Playing their semi final match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, this was a match for the history books. In a three-hour match, with two tiebreakers, Andy Murray put up a good fight against the world number one Rafael Nadal.
The exciting and exhilarating display of tennis on the courts was such that neither deserved to lose. However, Nadal defeated Murray by 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) to move into the finals.
To read the second part, click here.
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