Which Grand Slam match was one of the best of 2024? | ATP Tour

Better of 2024

Which Grand Slam match was one of the best of 2024?

Djokovic-Musetti at Roland Garros, Sinner-Medvedev at Australian Open make the record

December 01, 2024

To mark the top of one other thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Finest Of’ sequence, which can replicate on essentially the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and extra. Right now, we’re taking a look at one of the best Grand Slam matches of the 12 months.

The sport’s greatest stars shined brilliant on the Grand Slam stage this season, with the best-of-five-set format serving up a slew of memorable matches in 2024. Every of the dramatic encounters listed beneath went the space, with twists and turns all through every of the 5 frames.

There have been loads of matches to select from, with standout encounters like Daniil Medvedev‘s Australian Open semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev (learn extra) simply lacking out.

Wins for Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe function in our number of prime main matches, with Sinner, Alcaraz and Tiafoe all showing twice.

5) US Open R3, Frances Tiafoe d. Ben Shelton, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3
Virtually one 12 months to the day after their electrical 2023 US Open quarter-final encounter, Individuals Tiafoe and Shelton produced one other traditional at their dwelling main. In an Arthur Ashe Stadium battle of prime servers, it was Tiafoe’s returning and internet play that made the distinction on this match of razor-thin margins.

After three units, the scoreboard appeared much like 2023: Shelton gained the primary and third units, taking the latter in a tense tie-break. However the units have been nearer within the sequel, and Tiafoe felt the tennis was higher, too.

Avenging his earlier New York defeat and a three-set loss in April’s Houston remaining, Tiafoe carved out 21 break factors in opposition to the electrical Shelton serve, with that quantity almost matching the lefty’s ace depend. Tiafoe transformed 5 — one in every set — on his strategy to his second US Open semi-final look.

“Since I have been on Tour, at present was in all probability one of the best that anybody has returned my serve that I’ve seen,” Shelton stated. “From early within the match, there was one the place I went huge out huge, like 130 [mph], and he cracked it down the road clear, hit the baseline, and I used to be, like, ‘Oh, a kind of days.'”

“I believe the extent was quite a bit increased this 12 months than we performed final 12 months, all through the 5 units,” he stated.

It was not simply in regards to the tennis, both. The conflict felt like a spectacle, with the followers contained in the world’s greatest tennis-only stadium thrilled all through. Even in defeat, Shelton couldn’t assist however smile as he approached the web to greet Tiafoe.

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Photograph credit score: Al Bello/Getty Pictures

4) Wimbledon R3, Carlos Alcaraz d. Frances Tiafoe, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2
Two of the sport’s biggest entertainers mixed for one of many must-see matches of the 2024 season. Competing for the primary time since their five-set epic within the 2022 US Open semi-finals, Alcaraz and Tiafoe as soon as once more went the space in a show-stopping affair on Wimbledon‘s Centre Courtroom. Like in New York, Alcaraz emerged victorious and went on to carry the title. 

Tiafoe had been slumping coming into Wimbledon, however with nothing to lose in opposition to the Spanish defending champion, he hit fearlessly off each baseline wings to construct a two-sets-to-one lead. At 4-4 within the fourth set, Tiafoe threatened at 0/30 however couldn’t make the essential breakthrough. As a substitute, Alcaraz took again management of the match by racing to a 5/0 lead within the ensuing tie-break. 

The American opened the deciding set with a assured maintain, however Alcaraz cruised by means of 5 straight video games to cease Tiafoe’s upset bid.

“It’s at all times an enormous problem enjoying in opposition to Frances,” Alcaraz stated. “He’s a very gifted participant and difficult to face. We noticed it as soon as once more that he deserves to be on the prime and deserves to combat for large issues. It was actually troublesome for me to adapt my sport, discover options and attempt to put him in bother, however I’m actually pleased to do it on the finish of the match.”

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Photograph credit score: Julian Finney/Getty Pictures

3) Roland Garros SF, Carlos Alcaraz d. Jannik Sinner, 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
In what he known as one of many hardest matches of his profession, Alcaraz outlasted Sinner in a battle of attrition on Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier. On the best way to his first Roland Garros title, the Spaniard twice surged again from a set down and overcame a sluggish begin that noticed him path 4-0 within the opening set.

“It’s a must to discover the enjoyment struggling,” stated Alcaraz, who dominated the winner depend (65-39) however gained two fewer factors than the Italian (145-147). “That’s the key, much more right here on clay at Roland Garros. Lengthy rallies, four-hour matches, 5 units. It’s a must to combat, it’s important to undergo — however as I informed my group, it’s important to take pleasure in struggling.”

Sinner struggled with cramp halfway although the third set however nonetheless discovered a strategy to take a two-sets-to-one lead, breaking serve instantly after receiving remedy. There have been 10 breaks within the first three units, however neither man may create a single break level within the fourth till Alcaraz broke by means of in its remaining sport to power a decider. The Spaniard saved his foot firmly on the pedal to begin set 5, successful the primary three video games to money in on his momentum.

As each gamers struggled to search out their perfect tennis for sustained stretches, this was a battle of coronary heart and can as a lot because it was a check of talent. The drama continued till the ultimate ball, with Alcaraz preventing by means of deuce in every of his final three service video games. On his third match level, he sealed his place within the remaining.

2) Australian Open Remaining: Jannik Sinner d. Daniil Medvedev, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
Recognized for considering by means of matches like a chess participant, Medvedev is aware of a factor or two about opening gambits. The all-out assault he sprung from the primary ball of this Grand Slam remaining was one of many extra shocking tactical strikes of the season, and the unconventional strategy took the third seed to the brink of his first Australian Open title.

“I used to be anticipating one thing completely different from his facet,” Sinner stated. “So I had this sense that he may come out a bit of bit extra aggressive. However not this aggressive.”

Medvedev had performed three five-setters on the best way to the ultimate and determined to let it rip in an effort to shorten factors. The usually methodical baseliner unleashed the aggressive facet of his sport within the first two units.

With Sinner trying to find solutions, Medvedev fought to deuce on return at 4-4 in set three. However Sinner survived that sport then broke for the primary time within the match to grab the set, flipping the match on its head. Medvedev created one other break likelihood at 3-3 within the fourth, however once more Sinner escaped earlier than closing out the set with a break in its tenth sport.

The Italian pulled again within the rallies because the match wore on, inviting lengthier exchanges as he shifted the path of the match with persistence and poise. He completed as a worthy winner, and his first Grand Slam title paved the best way for a historic season that noticed him debut at World No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings and earn ATP 12 months-Finish No. 1 offered by PIF honours for the primary time.

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Photograph credit score: Daniel Pockett/Getty Pictures

1) Roland Garros R3: Novak Djokovic d. Lorenzo Musetti 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0
The primary of two consecutive comeback, five-set wins for Djokovic, this third-round thriller twisted and turned late into the early morning hours in Paris. The Serbian began nicely and, after main by a break early in set two, had a set level on serve within the second-set tie-break. However the complexion of the match shortly modified when Musetti rattled off three straight factors to degree at one set all. Although midnight had already struck, the Twenty fifth-seeded Italian continued what may have been a Cinderella story with a dominant third set.

Musetti’s majestic one-handed backhand started to get the higher of Djokovic’s rock-solid two-hander, and the Italian was firmly within the ascendency coming into set 4. Each gamers used each little bit of Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier, mixing in a gentle stream of drop photographs and angled assaults that saved the group entertained till a record-late end at 3:07 a.m., breaking the occasion’s newest earlier end of 1:25 a.m.

“It did not really feel nice enjoying him that third set [and] at [the] starting of the fourth,” Djokovic stated. “The gang positively received me going. I actually wanted that push, I actually wanted that power. At two-all within the fourth, they begin chanting my title and I simply felt an ideal new wave of willpower and power. And I believe I used to be a unique participant from that second onwards. I believe from that second I in all probability misplaced just one sport the remainder of the match.”

The one-sided ending was paying homage to Djokovic’s five-set win in opposition to Musetti at Roland Garros in 2021. Of their first Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly, the Serbian stormed again from two units down, successful 16 of the final 17 video games earlier than Musetti retired late within the fifth set. On this event, the Italian soldiered on however couldn’t cease Djokovic from crossing the end line after 4 hours, 29 minutes of memorable all-court motion.

“That was maybe one of the best match I ever performed right here,” Djokovic added, addressing the group in French. “Essentially the most thrilling. Thanks a lot. And now, who’s going to sleep? It is unattainable to sleep now with all this adrenaline. If you are going to have fun, I am coming too!”

Novak Djokovic celebrates his five-set comeback win after 3:00 a.m. win over Lorenzo Musetti.” model=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/photos/information/2024/06/02/01/32/djokovic-roland-garros-2024-saturday-2.jpg?h=1080&w=1920″>
Photograph credit score: AFP/Getty Pictures