The 2021 tennis season was a mix of a lot of expectations, let-downs, and jaw-dropping statistics. The young competed with the old, the top of the game competed with the ones looking to topple them from their top spots. overall, it was a fun-filled ride which is now almost at its end.

Here are the Top 5 Tennis Matches of 2021!

5. Leylah Fernandez vs Elina Svitolina, US Open Quarterfinal

Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez really showed the world the talent she possesses at the young age of only 18. Fernandez displayed an awesome spirit and played really in the matches leading up to the quarterfinals, beating 2 former world no. 1s- Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber.

Fernandez was put against Svitolina who had not lost even 1 set in the competition. Both of the players played majestically and were really stubborn and the match was taken to a tiebreaker where Fernandez won the set 7-5 and grabbed her ticket to the semi-finals.

4. Carloz Alcaraz vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, US Open Third Round

In another instance of a young star shining brighter than established champions, 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from Spain beat the no.3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 5 set victory. “In the beginning of the first set, he came really strong,” Tsitsipas said of Alcaraz. “Ball speed was incredible. I’ve never seen someone hit the ball so hard. Took time to adjust,” he added.

Alcaraz played a really aggressive game and didn’t let setbacks break his momentum to go forward in the game, a feat that often leads to him being compared to fellow countryman, Rafael Nadal, although Alcaraz says he was inspired by Roger Federer.

3. Ashleigh Barty vs Karolina Pliskova, Wimbledon Final

In an epic clash between a former world no.1 and the current no.1, Pliskova faced off against the force which was Barty. Barty had a very varied game with insurmountable control over all aspects of the sport. She made as many errors as winners (29 to 30) and had the same number of double faults as she did aces (seven of each), but still kept their damage to a minimum and manage to clutch the victory in this epic face-off, becoming the Wimbledon Champion.

“It was the most incredible feeling I think I’ve ever experienced on a tennis court,” said Barty, as she brought the Wimbledon title back to Australia after 19 years.

2. Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas, French Open Final

After being 2 sets down to Tsitsipas, it seemed obvious to the world that the force known as Djokovic was slowing down and the big 3 might have to step down now and let the younger generation take over their top spots. But all were proved wrong after Djokovic grabbed the victory in a  6-7 (2), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over 22-year-old Tsitsipas who himself had played a fabulous match and gave his all- It was just that Djokovic’s momentum could not be broken.

The French Open final was one of the most adrenaline-packed matches of the year and Djokovic won his 19th major title in a grand way and became the only one among the big three to win each major twice.

1. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, French Open Semifinal

Every time two from the Big 3 collide, it becomes a historic point in tennis and 2021’s French Open semifinal was no different. As two of the biggest names in tennis, both players were expected to perform at their best and they absolutely delivered a packed game.

Nadal was the fan-favorite to win the match but Djokovic was in perfect form and couldn’t be overpowered. Nadal won the first set 6-3 but Djokovic fought back and took the second one 6-3. Both the players gave their most and the third set went to a tiebreaker but Djokovic won it 7-4 to take the lead. Djokovic dominated the 4th match and won it 6-2, clutching the victory. It was no doubt the most hyped match of 2021.

Also read: Not Federer, Nadal or Djokovic; Stefanos Tsitsipas picks “this” legend as the GOAT of tennis