Top ten most thrilling Grand Slam tennis clashes in 2010 - Part 3
Here is the third part explaining the most interesting and thrilling Grand Slam clashes this year;
6. Victoria Azarenka versus Serena Williams, Australian Open quarter final
Victoria Azarenka stepped onto the court with the slightest hint of a smile, looking quite confident prior to her quarter final clash in Melbourne. She had no doubts what so ever regarding her ability while facing the top ranked
and mighty Williams. They had faced each other previously in Miami back in 2009 where the American won in straight sets. At the Australian Open, both of them had played each other twice in the round of sixteen. Victoria had put Williams on the ropes on both
occasions however was never able to finish it well in the end. The same happened in this match as well where at one stage it looked like Victoria would end as winner.
The Belarusian started off the match strongly with the help of her blazing backhands, devilish serves, dazzling defence, robust returns and fiery forehands. She managed to take a lead of 6-4, 4-0 early on in the match, and after
setting up the match for her, Victoria lost control of her game and never managed to come back till the end.
The second ranked American turned the match in her favour with the help of her beefy backhand, formidable forehand, delightful defence, forceful returns, quick serves and two things that her opponent did not have; tremendous movement
and venerating volleys. Such was the sight when the former world number one bounced back in the match during the second set at 7-6.
Victoria Azarenka was completely crushed after falling in the second set and after that seemed to lose her confidence in the match. The final set was an all Williams affair as she climbed Mt. Everest to grab the decider 6-2.
5. Serena Williams versus Samantha Stosur, French Open Quarterfinal
Up and down, up and down, up and down, the momentum of the match kept swinging until Williams served down 2-3 in the opening set. The American gave Samantha a powerful groundstroke, and that was when the Australian made her killer
move. Stosur sliced her backhand, sending her American foe off balance and won the point in the end.
It was only one of the many points in a ruthless battle between Williams and Stosur. Stosur looked extremely confident against the American and looked as if she had no other wish but to win the battle in Roland Garros.
She had the initial advantage, at last coming up with a lead of 6-3 5-3. The Australian was just two points away from victory while serving at 30-all. However Williams made a dramatic return into the match by breaking Samantha
and eventually winning the second set in a tie break.
It appeared as if Samantha would collapse. However she bounced back immediately just to see Williams break straight back. Then she served down at 4-5 30-40 during the fifth game, and the American was a few inches away from triumphing
in the clash. However, Samantha won that game but again served down her following service game at 5-6 0-30.
That prompted four outstanding serves from Stosur to clinch the game, and in the end broke her opponent’s popular serve at 6-6 all in the following set. The Australian believed in herself and instead of crushing, won it in the
end. The Australian’s belief did the trick for her as she had it, lost it, and grabbed it to triumph in their Roland Garros clash in the final eight that turned out to be an action packed full on drama in the end.
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