Tennis Dailies: ATP 2010 season

As the ATP season 2010 has just ended, I have rounded up my picks for the highs and lows of the season. So here are my choices:

Player of the season

1. Rafael Nadal - Won 3 out of 4 grandslams. Need I say more?
2. Roger Federer - Dismal by his high standards. Still, winning 1 slam and ending the year unbeaten at ATP Finals puts him at number 2
3. Andy Murray - I'm convinced. Best player never to win a slam. He won a few masters 1000, showed how good he is but his mental strength got the better of him at the critical moment. Hope he can finally win a slam next year.

Most Improved Player

1. Jurgen Melzer - Semi-finalist in Roland Garros. One of the rare few to beat Nadal this year. Reached a career high ranking of 11
2.Tomas Berdych - Roland Garros Semi-finals, Wimbledon finals and qualified for ATP Finals
3. Andrey Golubev - Biggest surge in rankings

Match of the Year

1. Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray (ATP World Tour Finals, Semi-final)
2. Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray (Australian Open, Quarter-final)
3. David Ferrer vs Fernando Verdasco (US Open, 4th round)
4. Gael Monfils vs Roger Federer (Paris 1000, Semi-final)
5. John Isner vs Nicholas Mahut (Wimbledon, 1st round)

Celebration of the Year

Soderling's girly celebration after beating Berdych at Roland Garros

Outfit of the Year

Radek Stepanek the fashion icon (puns intended)

Flop of the Year
1. Marin Cilic - He was touted as the next big thing for 2010. He made it to Australian Open semis in January and went downhill after that
2. Juan Martin del Potro - He won the US Open in 2009 and was destined for great things but injury wrecked all anticipation as he dipped to number 40 from number 4

Shock of the Year
1. Federer crashing out of Wimbledon in the Quarter-finals for the first time in 8 years.
2. Roddick losing to unknowns Gabashvilli and Lu Yen Hsun in grandslams

Players to look out for in 2011