[ResistNewWorldOrder]

(one writers opinion - if you go to the site, there's more detail on every match, and some very nice photos):

From the author: A memorable match to me needs: a player who showed complete dominance over her/his opponent, a comeback, an incident during the match, and a historic result.


This list has all of those traits and more. There are five men's matches and five women's matches on the list. Most of the matches are French Open finals, but there is also one quarterfinal match and a fourth-round

10. 1999 Roland Garros Final: Andre Agassi d. Andrei Medvedev, 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

9. 1988 Roland Garros Final: Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva, 6-0, 6-0

8. 2004 Roland Garros Final: Gaston Gaudio defeated Guillermo Coria, 0–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1, 8–6

7. 1984 Roland Garros Final: Ivan Lendl defeated John McEnroe, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5

6. 1983 Roland Garros Final: Yannick Noah defeated Mats Wilander, 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)

5. 1992 Roland Garros Final: Monica Seles defeated Steffi Graf, 6-2, 3-6, 10-8

4. 1983 Roland Garros fourth round: Kathy Horvath defeated Martina Navratilova, 6-4, 0-6, 6-3

3. 1985 Roland Garros Final: Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5

2. 1989 Roland Garros quarterfinals: Michael Chang defeated Ivan Lendl, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

1. 1999 Roland Garros final: Steffi Graf defeated Martina Hingis, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...matches#page/1

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

I'm biased, I admit, but I think the omission of J-Cap/Kim's 2001 final is glaring. Many people might argue Venus/Linds at Wimby 2005, but for my money Jen/Kim at the French in 2001 was the best womens slam final of the decade.

Other than that, it's hard to argue with a lot of this list. Fun to see that Steffi/Natalia is on the list. Source of one of the greatest quips in tennis history, when Zvereva was asked what was the best part of the match, and she replied "the rain delay".

[anderriter]

Never heard of Kathy Horvath before!

[topcasinobonua]

I think there is an argument for Dementieva and Myskina in 2004 just cuz it was such a HOT MESS!

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

Never heard of Kathy Horvath before!

Horvath was the "1" in Navs 86-1 1983 season.

[RicyReetred]

I'm biased, I admit, but I think the omission of J-Cap/Kim's 2001 final is glaring.

I agree completely. The fact that at any given moment in the third set, you had no idea who was going to pull it out, made that match a classic, edge of your seat nail-biter.

I'm sure muncin will find a reason to disagree.

Graf is on the list too many times already but her win over Navratilova in 1987 was a turning point in women's tennis history. The end of one dominant era and the start of another even more dominant era.

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

Graf is on the list too many times already but her win over Navratilova in 1987 was a turning point in women's tennis history. The end of one dominant era and the start of another even more dominant era.

That '87 match was huge, Miles.

In retrospect, for some reason, I don't recall the tennis in Hingis/Graf as being spectacular, though that could just be my memory. What I think makes it memorable was Hingis's meltdown.

[RicyReetred]

That '87 match was huge, Miles.

In retrospect, for some reason, I don't recall the tennis in Hingis/Graf as being spectacular, though that could just be my memory. What I think makes it memorable was Hingis's meltdown.

You're right, the Graf/Hingis match did not have great tennis but it had major DRAMA. Also, it marked a turning point in Hingis' career. The meltdown impacted her in ways we could not have known then, but she never won another GS again. It altered the trajectory of her career completely.

A couple of months later, Graf was gone from the game too, so on that day, two careers sort of came to an end. One with a bang, the other with tragic consequences.

[Phywhewashect]

You're right, the Graf/Hingis match did not have great tennis but it had major DRAMA. Also, it marked a turning point in Hingis' career. The meltdown impacted her in ways we could not have known then, but she never won another GS again. It altered the trajectory of her career completely.

A couple of months later, Graf was gone from the game too, so on that day, two careers sort of came to an end. One with a bang, the other with tragic consequences.

Hingis was still pretty darn good after that despite the meltdown. She made four more grand slam finals and I would argue that she "should" have beaten Capriati in 2002 down under. To me, that was the match that forever altered her career.

[Phywhewashect]

Hard to believe that neither Nadal or Borg are on the list.

Just too dominant I guess, but not in a 6-0, 6-0 kind of way. Last year's Nadal-Federer match was pretty stunning how one-sided it was though.

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

Hingis was still pretty darn good after that despite the meltdown. She made four more grand slam finals and I would argue that she "should" have beaten Capriati in 2002 down under. To me, that was the match that forever altered her career.

It's funny how you can debate the match that altered Martina's career. I think you can also make a case for the '99 US final against Serena.

[RicyReetred]

Hingis was still pretty darn good after that despite the meltdown. She made four more grand slam finals and I would argue that she "should" have beaten Capriati in 2002 down under. To me, that was the match that forever altered her career.

Sorry to have to disagree with you on this one. The Capriati match officially ended Hingis' GS career. The Graf match laid down the psychological destruction that materialized in Hingis' subsequent four GS finals -- none of which she won.

[Phywhewashect]

I think the Kathy Horvath 4th round upset is a bit high on the list. I know it's Martina but for top 5?

[Phywhewashect]

Sorry to have to disagree with you on this one. The Capriati match officially ended Hingis' GS career. The Graf match laid down the psychological destruction that materialized in Hingis' subsequent four GS finals -- none of which she won.

I think the '99 French may have laid down the groundwork, but 2002 was the nail in the coffin.

Hey, at least we both agree it was a Capriati match

[RicyReetred]

I think the '99 French may have laid down the groundwork, but 2002 was the nail in the coffin.

I just said that! We are in agreement!

Oh, which smiley to use?

:fighting:

or this one?

:makeout:

[Phywhewashect]

I just said that! We are in agreement!

Oh, which smiley to use?

:fighting:

or this one?

:makeout:

With Hingis' game, it's hard to believe she never won RG. To me, it seems like her game was pretty well suited to clay. As dominant as Henin was you would think Hingis would have gotten at least one!

[abossakon]

I agree completely. The fact that at any given moment in the third set, you had no idea who was going to pull it out, made that match a classic, edge of your seat nail-biter.

I'm sure muncin will find a reason to disagree.

Graf is on the list too many times already but her win over Navratilova in 1987 was a turning point in women's tennis history. The end of one dominant era and the start of another even more dominant era.

You're WRONG!!!!

[abossakon]

I personally would add the 2005 SF between Rafa and Roger - "Le vrai final" I think it was called by a lot of papers. It was a big deal at the time but I think it's become a bigger deal over the last few years. Rafa was still kinda green and is obviously a much better player now. If Roger could have found a way to wrangle that match away from him then the entire trajectory of their rivalry might be different. Instead, Roger got bullied around the court and a precedent was set.

[alexosnasos2]

Did the person who made this list ever heard about... GUSTAVO KUERTEN???!

He has at least 3 moments for this list: 4th round against Russel in 2001 (saved M.P. and draw the heart for the first time), Quarterfinals against Kafelnikov in 2000 (was down 2 sets to 1 and a break in the fourth but came back roaring) Semifinals against Ferrero in 2000 (same case as quarterfinals 2000). You could evem add the dramatic 2000 final when he lost 10 match points and had bad line calls against Norman.

1 - Justine x Serena semi 2003...anyone???

[ResistNewWorldOrder]

1 - Justine x Serena semi 2003...anyone???

That very well may be the most discussed, along with being the match that turned Justine from a lovable underdog to a villian for many people.