Saturday, December 4, 2010

ATP 2010 - Year end Review










Player of the Season:
1) Rafael Nadal
3 Grand slams, unbeaten in the clay season (clay slam), finalist in the season ending WTF and completion of a career grand slam (youngest man in open era to do so). You may hit more aces, more winners and play better but still end up losing. Just ask Andy Murray who put up a brilliant display in the WTF semifinals but still end up losing. To note that he hasnt won a title for 11 months until Monte Carlo and the machine keeps rollin!!!




2) Roger Federer
The best player in history of tennis period. A record breaking of 16 grandslams to his name (winning Australian ’10) and 5 season ending wtf to his name. By his standard, it is a average season but still no players (except Nadal) can even match his achievement. With a new coach and new aggressive style tennis, he is on course for more glory.

3) Robin Soderling
Made it to the French open finals and qtr finals in Wimbledon and US Open (losing to Nadal and Federer respectively) and Paris Master 1000 series title, proves that last season success was no fluke with exception of first round exit in Australian Open.

Most Improved Player

1) Gael Monfils
Finishing as runner in Japan Open 500 (l. to Nadal) and Paris Masters (l. to Soderling). This major change in him is attribute to coach Roger Rasheed and the new KSwiss outfit and Prince Exo Rebel95.

2) David Ferrer
Back to his best this year by ending as world no 7. Despite lacking many killer weapons, he is one player who will make you work for every single point. Unlike Andy Murray who succumbs to pressure, this man plays with none at all. Winner of Valencia Open and playing well in clay court season and runner up in Beijing and qualifying for the WTF tournament.


Flop of the Year

1) Andy Murray
How long do we have to wait for Andy Murray to win his first grandslam?? Sure he play a hell of a tournament in Australian Open, did well in Wimbledon and have a forgetful French Open as well as US Open and he always choke when it matters most. No Grandslams = No Glory for player his caliber!! Mentally not as sound as Rafa and Roger!!

2) Ernest Gulbis
Beat Roger Federer in the second round of Rome Masters and gave eventual champion Rafa a fight of his life. He has plenty of arsenals but deliver very little and with all the buzz going around, he still has nothing worth mentioning to makes him a title contender.


Match of the Year

1) Novak Djokovic vs Roger Feder (US Open Semifinals)
If you didn’t catch it, go and youtube it!! Words cant describe how great this match is!!!!!!

2) Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray (WTF Semifinals)
Same as above!! Damn a tennis fan shld miss this match unless you went out karaoke like myself!!

3) Juan Carlos Ferrero vs David Ferrer (Copa Telmex Final 2010)
3 sets in 2 hours plus of pulsating clay court tennis by 2 clay court specialist makes this a super exciting match. Long baseline rallies from both are just brilliant.

4) Fernando Verdasco vs Novak Djokovic
Excellent clay court match that produces an upset win for Verdasco.

Players to look out for

This is one section which is difficult to write as the ATP is really dominated by Federer and Nadal. Even, Djokovic and Murray find it difficult to get closer in terms of titles let alone player below them. But here are 3 players who made it.

1) Gael Monfils
See above.

2) Juan Martin Del Potro
Winner of US Open 2009 and runner in WTF 2009 and was out for most of 2010 season due to injury and his ranking dropped. Beat both Rafa (thrashing) and Federer to win US Open (Murray can u do it??) so he has proven that he can do it at the big stage so no question he is a dangerous player to look out for.
3) Fernando Gonzalez
Out for most part of the year due to injury, Gonzo still can ripped the most vicious forehand on tour!!


Outfit of the Year
Gael Monfils (Kswiss)
Andy Roddick (Lacoste)
Rafael Nadal (Nike)


Shocker of the Year
Taylor Dent Retirement
The retirement of serve and volley expert and American Sweetheart sure is a shock of all shock as he was kinda back on tour and then…….


Sengkang ATP Masters
Most Stylish Player
Tong
The man with the best prestigious brand( Fred Perry), Shades, and stylo devilish haircut with the people’s backhand. Definitely, the most stylish player on circuit and him being a VFM definitely helps.


Best Finishing Move
Pure Storm Peoples Backhand
The bounce is low and the spin is crazy, trouble all players all season long!! How would the others counter it?? Stay tune to find out!!!


Most Consistent Move
Shona’s Serve
Hardly faulted on her serve (95% accuracy) and the bounce on the serve makes it difficult for all. Definitely something for us to learn from.


Ben’s Forehand
Despite the lacking of power, it’s good to keep most rallies going and has little unforced error. If more power and speed can be generated it would definitely be a great shot.


Shocker of the Year
Nizlan’s new weapon of mass destruction
Dunlop was never on the discussion table and my allegiances to Prince seem unbroken but always expect the unexpected!!


Worst Guy on Tour
The Apek at Compass point Centre Court
Gave us a hard time entering the centre court and booking of slots!! Need I Say more???!!!


Best Fellow on tour
All the 5 players (Tong, Ben. Shona, Dan and Nizlan) have contributed to make this season great. We hope to see more of Mel in the upcoming season.

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