I could not resist including to the custom of writing about my favourite video games of the yr. It is in no way a whole record as I have not watched something because the US Open. These are the video games I’ll keep in mind from 2023. In case you like a blast from the previous you possibly can learn the MTB countdown right here.
10. Sofia Kenin d. Coco Gauff, 6-4 4-6 6-2 (Wimbledon, R1)
There have been a number of moments in 2023 the place Kenin got here up with a strong reminder that he’s nonetheless a harmful participant who can beat anybody on his day. The rallies on this recreation had been nice! Looking back, this poor end result for Gauff could have spurred him on to what may have been an excellent summer time.
9. Linda Noskova d. Victoria Azarenka, 6-4 6-7(3) 7-6(6) (Adelaide, QF)
Noskova’s run to the finals in Adelaide as a qualifier within the first week of the season was probably the most spectacular of all the season. The quarter-final towards Azarenka was an unpleasant contest the place there was little or no to decide on between the 2.
8. Aryna Sabalenka d. Iga Swiatek, 6-3 3-6 6-3 (Madrid, Closing)
The most important conflict between #1 vs. #2 delivered. Each performed properly on the similar time. Sabalenka was excellent on this occasion in what was arguably his greatest efficiency of the season.
7. Clara Tauson d. Leylah Fernandez, 6-3 5-7 6-4 (French Open, R2)
A hidden gem from the primary rounds of the French Open on out of doors courts. It is an attention-grabbing match between two gamers that I all the time discover myself rooting for.
6. By Jabeur d. Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 (Wimbledon, SF)
An extremely packed and intense semi-final. It is not the best high quality however I keep in mind being hooked and on the sting of my seat from begin to end. Jabeur and Svitolina ran the present at this yr’s Wimbledon, every producing 4 Slam titles, earlier than operating into Vondroussova.
5. Iga Swiatek d. Karolina Muchova, 6-2 5-7 6-4 (French Open, Closing)
What occurred to my favourite gamers reaching the highest of the French Open?! From being down and out within the second set, Muchova mounted a sensational comeback and was very near profitable all the caboodle! Muchova bought the higher of Swiatek who bought one other gear on the finish of the third set. An important finale.
4. Emma Raducanu d. Beatriz Haddad Maia, 6-1 2-6 6-4 (Indian Wells, R3)
One of many few matches away from Slams in 2023 that I used to be utterly invested in. Indian Wells generally is a robust watch however by some means I did not discover how sluggish the courts had been as Raducanu and Haddad Maia hit one another with tennis balls. The third set was thrilling with one memorable encounter the place Raducanu needed to hit high after high go…
3. Karolina Muchova d. Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 (French Open, SF)
The French Open was my favourite event of the yr and Muchova-Sabalenka was the most effective. A formidable recreation with a tremendous plot on the finish. I keep in mind going to play tennis and following the reside rating within the automotive. I could not imagine it when Muchova gained the final 5 video games and saved a match cut-off date! 😱
2. Elina Svitolina d. Victoria Azarenka, 2-6 6-4 7-6(9) (Wimbledon, R4)
This recreation simply bought higher and higher and higher. Absolutely the traditional performed within the pandemonium. It was an ungainly second after the sport with the gang complaining about not shaking arms as a result of each gamers deserved an extended standing ovation. Svitolina’s comeback in 2023 was one of many hottest tales of the yr. He introduced again nearly a special participant with a fierce intelligence that’s current on this unforgettable recreation.
1. Aryna Sabalenka d. Elena Rybakina, 4-6 6-3 6-4 (Australian Open, Closing)
Once I watched the ultimate again then there was little doubt that it was my recreation of the yr as I had one other panic assault regardless that I knew what had occurred! I believe the ultimate is much more distinguished as a result of the second week of the Australian Open was unforgettable. For Sabalenka, this was a victory for persistence. One yr earlier Sabalenka had a extreme case of the yips and repeatedly blinked in huge video games. As an alternative, it was Sabalenka’s serve that held up as she tried to tug the match out in a grueling ultimate recreation. A top quality finale with a contented ending. Could not ask for extra 😊.
The perfect of the remaining:
Caroline Garcia d. Leylah Fernandez, 7-6(5) 7-5 (Australian Open, R2): Lowkey is without doubt one of the greatest video games of the yr. Garcia gained all three of their matches however they had been all very aggressive.
Caroline Garcia d. Laura Siegemund, 1-6 6-3 6-3 (Australian Open, R3): One other nice match with Garcia that the gang went cuckoo for. I felt like Garcia is on to one thing with these two wins in Melbs however he shall be out of rivalry within the subsequent spherical.
By Jabeur d. Olga Danilovic, 4-6 6-4 6-2 (French Open, R3): I do not perceive why Danilovic does not make extra noise?! Danilovic performed a wonderful first set however Jabeur discovered a manner. It is a enjoyable recreation.
Venus Williams d. Camila Giorgi, 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(6) (Birmingham, R1): One of the crucial superb video games of the yr. In worry of Venus.
Iga Swiatek d. Belinda Bencic, 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-3 (Wimbledon, R4): One of the crucial memorable days of tennis when Svitolina-Azarenka occurred on the similar time. A traditional escape from Swiatek.
