I asked twitter for favorite Miami memories, and you guys did not disappoint. I dug around on YouTube for evidence, and thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane! Please share your own memories in the comments.
1. Djokovic d. Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the 2011 final for his 24th straight victory.
@linzsportsThat stunning Djokovic – Nadal final from 2011. I remember its the first time I saw Djokovic outlast Nadal, physically.
— Mateja Vidakovic (@TheSentinel909) March 21, 2013
You can watch highlights of the match…
or just watch THIS SHOT:
2. Federer d. Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the 2005 final. Nadal was only 2 points away from winning.
@linzsports Rafa-fed 2005 final. Not an often mentioned match in their rivalry. Rafa was 2 points away from the win, but Fed took it in 5
— ranjani(@ranjani_iyer) March 21, 2013
Look at the monochrome courts. And the hair!
3. Serena d. Jankovic 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 in the 2008 final. It took Serena 7 match-points to close it out.
@linzsports Miami final 2008 – Serena vs JJ, fun and epic match 🙂
— Novak German Fan (@NovakSupport) March 21, 2013
Gosh, I miss this JJ.
4. Del Potro d. Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in the 2009 quarterfinals.
@linzsports Delpo beating Rafa in 2009. Everyone was hating on me so hard but I was so excited by his play.
— Brodie (@Broloccini) March 21, 2013
5. Sharapova d. Dulgheru 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the 2011 quarterfinals. The match took 3 hours and 28 minutes and got Sharapova back into the top 10.
@linzsports honestly? maria’s win over dulgheru in a epic 3 hour and a half match that put her back on top 10.
— Joana (@Shezocas) March 21, 2013
What. A. Battle:
6. “The Youzhny” is born in the third round of the 2008 tournament. Youzhny went on to defeat Almagro 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. Classic.
@linzsports Youzhny 2008 racket head smash…still laugh watching that video…comments on youtube are hilarious #neverforget #youzhnyFTW
— Shradha (@shs_techi) March 21, 2013
Seriously, this never gets old:
7. Roddick d. Nadal in the 2010 semifinals 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. It was a come-from-behind victory that really showcased how well-rounded Roddick’s game had become.
@linzsports Roddick coming from behind to beat Rafa in 2010!!!
— Jill(@jill417) March 21, 2013
I still get chills watching this:
8. Rafael Nadal foreshadows the future by taking out Federer 6-3, 6-3 in the 2004 third round for the first statement win of his career.
@linzsports 2004.. Baby Rafa (approaching 18th birthday) defeated World No. 1 Roger Federer for the first time in straight sets.
— Mithi (@babblingbrat) March 21, 2013
Look at how young they were!
9. Roddick gets his third career win over Federer, 7-6 (7-4) 1-6 6-4 last year in the third round. He dedicated the win to his agent Ken Meyerson, who passed away the previous fall.
@linzsports last year Roddick win over Federer!
— Sylwia B. (@przemusiowa) March 21, 2013
*Chokes back tears*
10. Martinga Hingis d. Venus Williams in the 2007 third round, 6–4, 6–2.
@linzsports watching Martina Hingis defeat Venus, early in both of their careers (it was the Lipton, then). MH showed her patience + smarts.
— Kathy Cornett (@KathyCornett) March 21, 2013
I couldn’t find highlights of that particular match, but here’s some clips from their 2007 US Open final. Spectacular:
11. The Xaver Malisse Show. Enough said.
@linzsports This: youtube.com/watch?v=Oe6uLX…
— Win or Lose, I WIN (@WinOrLoseIWin) March 21, 2013
12. Djokovic d. Nadal in the 2007 quarterfinals 6-3, 6-4, to notch his first win over the Spaniard.
@linzsports Novak’s first ever win over Rafa in ’07.
— Harry (@_harry91) March 21, 2013
This last game alone is worth watching. Incredible.
Aaah, so many memories. My personal favorites would have to be both of the Roddick victories over Federer, neither one of which I actually got to watch live. In 2008 I was locked out of my apartment, and sat by my door waiting for the doorman to help me out while frantically refreshing the tennis.com page on my blackberry and reading the match-call thread to keep up with the scores. Last year I was at a concert for a good friend, and was watching livescores and trying not to make noise. Both times I cried.
I also loved Davydenko’s run in 2008 with one racket and Radwanksa’s run last year. Oh, and Kamke beating Del Potro last night was pretty awesome too.
What about you guys? What are your favorite Miami memories?
I guess Miami should be renamed as Soap Opera tennis …they can keep the same hashtag #sot13
So much drama!
The crazy Azarenka-Cibulkova match is also a good one.
Very interesting to see how Nadal was mentioned 6 times while the entire WTA only had 3 “magical moments”.
Hah- this was a very informal poll, so I’m not sure I would put too much stock into the distribution. It is, however, interesting that Nadal was a part of so many memories since he’s never won Miami!
Azarenka-Cibulkova was insane- that’s a good one.
Love those baby chubby cheeks of Rafa’s LOL!!
OK, I don’t know how to tweet, and this is gonna show my age perhaps, LOL, but a great memory of Miami for me was watching Agassi defeat a young Federer in 2002. I saw that young pony-tailed Swiss guy and thought ‘oooh, this kid’s good.’
Weren’t wrong, were I.
Oh awesome there is my tweet! I’m gonna enjoy checking all these out, thanks so much for this post 🙂
Djokovic/Nadal 2011. That established the rivalry big time I thought and it was a killer match!
Speaking of S Williams, that match against Jankovic should have never went to a final set as S Williams served twice if I recall for a straight set win. Then later at USO, Jankovic should have forced a decider but did not play aggressive enough on set points. Earlier at USO, S Williams saved 10 set points against V Williams in the QF.
” In 2008 I was locked out of my apartment, and sat by my door waiting for the doorman to help me out while frantically refreshing the tennis.com page on my blackberry and reading the match-call thread to keep up with the scores”
Linz,
Guess who fingers were tired after that 3 set battle? Good times were had on that thread.
What about Venus saving eight CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS against Capriati in the 2001 final?!?! Unreal stuff. The match itself wasn’t the highest quality. But I remember having three heart attacks at the end. It reminded me of a time when Venus simply refused to ever lose.
A lot of things happened in Miami, didn’t it?
I had no idea that Ferrer was the one Malisse was playing against in that match!!!
Another memory for me was the retirement of Fernando Gonzalez. (Sadly, no one got to see it thanks to lack of 1st round coverage)