In pictures: Top 10 best matches on the ATP tour 2020

Why was this a memorable match? : 17-0. This is the record of Novak Djokovic against Gaël Monfils. However, this time Gael delivered his best tennis and appeared to be headed to a milestone victory.
The key moment : Gaël Monfils leads 6-3 in the tie-break of the second set and will serve twice to conclude the match. He tensed up and Djokovic catches up with him and captures the set.
The quote: “He was clearly the best in two sets, I was lucky to come back. Gaël played a tennis he had perhaps never played before against me. During two sets, it was really incredible.” Novak Djokovic

Lucas Morlier

December 19, 2020

1/10

10. Rolex Paris Masters - 2nd round: Humbert beats Tsitsipas 7-6 6-7 7-6

Why was this a memorable match? : 3h15, three tie-breaks, Ugo Humbert can be proud of his second victory against a Top 10 in his career. Faced with Stefanos Tsitsipas, he could have regretted the match points that he let slip in the second-set breaker.
The key moment : Back to the wall, 5-4 against him in the last set, Ugo Humbert loses his first point of service and leaves the Greek three points from victory. The French did not tremble and held on.
The quote : «The scenario of the match is crazy. I had a tough game yesterday, physically it was not easy, I struggled to recover. Then I tensed at the end of the second set. I went through all the states but I gave everything until the last point, and I took my chance. Mentally, it's a great victory.» Ugo Humbert
2/10

9. US Open - 1st round: Murray beats Nishioka 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4

Why this match is so memorable : For the first time in more than three years, Andy Murray takes down a Top 10 player. Alexander Zverev paid the price after a fierce 2:31 fight. The Scot's mental toughness made the difference again.
The key moment : When serving for the win at 5-4 in the last set, Alexander Zverev commits… three double faults. His luck had run out.
The quote : “If you had seen my training and the preparation for the tournament, you wouldn't have believed it. It was also the case when I played practice matches and practice sets at home. I couldn't win one.” Andy Murray
3/10

8. ATP Dubai - Semi-final: Djokovic defeats Monfils 2-6 7-6 6-1

Why was this a memorable match? : 17-0. This is the record of Novak Djokovic against Gaël Monfils. However, this time Gael delivered his best tennis and appeared to be headed to a milestone victory.
The key moment : Gaël Monfils leads 6-3 in the tie-break of the second set and will serve twice to conclude the match. He tensed up and Djokovic catches up with him and captures the set.
The quote: "He was clearly the best in two sets, I was lucky to come back. Gaël played a tennis he had perhaps never played before against me. During two sets, it was really incredible.” Novak Djokovic
4/10

7.ATP Cincinnati - Semi-final: Djokovic beats Bautista-Agut 4-6 6-4 7-6

Why was this a memorable match?: Because we almost witnessed Novak Djokovic's first defeat in 2020. Against Bautista Agut, the Serbian lost the first set and then sees his opponent serve for the match. “Nole” finds a way, and remains decidedly unbeatable in 2020.
The key moment: Roberto Bautista-Agut leads 6-5 in the final set and will serve for the match. Not so fast, says Djokovic, who breaks and proceeds to win the tie-break 7-0. Only regret for the Spaniard in a match that lasted 3:01.
The quote : "I don't know how I won, to be honest. He was the best player on the court." Novak Djokovic
5/10

6. ATP Hamburg - Final: Rublev beats Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 7-5

Why was this a memorable match? This NextGen duel kept all of its promises, with both players going blow for blow from the baseline. Tsitsipas is on the verge of winning but he is eventually outlasted by red-hot Rublev, who was the king of 500-level events in 2020.
The key moment: Tsitsipas leads 5-3 in the last set and serves to win the tournament. Rublev, determined as always, breaks and wins four games in a row to finally overthrow the Greek.
The quote : "It's an incredible feeling. I only realized this when the double fault was confirmed. Seconds later, I started to realize that it was over and that I had won. I am happy." Andrey Rublev
6/10

5.ATP Cup - Australia - Greece: Kyrgios beats Tsitsipas: 7-6 6-7 7-6

Why was this a memorable match?: After a very close meeting last year in Washington, won by the Australian, Nick Kyrgios pulls another tight victory at the ATP Cup against a very tense Tsitsipas. After the loss of the first set, Tsitsipas notably hit his father (and trainer) with his racket in an unfortunate moment. In an a raucous atmoshphere, it is the whimsical Australian who imposes himself in front of his audience.
The key moment: At 1-1 in the tie-break of the last set, Kyrgios surrenders a mini-break. He immediately fires back and equalizes at 2-2 and ends up winning the tie-break 7-5.
The quote : “It happened by accident. It was not my intention. We forgot everything right after and we moved on. These are things that happen. I didn't want to do this. Things got out of hand, unfortunately. I'm going to have to stay in my room for three days, punished by my father." Stefanos Tsitsipas on the incident with his father at the end of the first set
7/10

4. Rome Masters 1000 - Semi-final: Schwartzman beats Shapovalov: 6-4 5-7 7-6

Why was this a memorable match? : Diego Schwartzman affirms it, he has just played the “best match of his career” against Rafael Nadal in the previous round. In the semifinals, in an epic fight of 3hr16, the Argentinian is doing all he can against the Canadian, Denis Shapovalov.
The key moment: At 4-4 in the last set, Denis Shapovalov breaks his opponent and prepares to serve for the match. He can't stand up to the pressure and is immediately broken by Schwartzman.
The quote : «This is my best game. I have already played the Big Three and this is my first victory. I respect them a lot, but I try to forget that when I enter a court against them.» Diego Schwartzman on his victory over Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
8/10

3. Nitto ATP Finals - Pool match: Thiem beats Nadal 7-6 7-6

Why was this a memorable match? : Because the two players did not give each other any gifts for 2h25 and the violence of their blows was jaw dropping throughout the meeting. It is ultimately the Austrian who claims the victory, surely because he took the most risks in the important points.
The key moment : In the tie-break of the first set, Rafael Nadal leads 5-2 and will serve twice to take the set. But the Spaniard collapses while Thiem revolts. The Austrian wins the first act 9-7 in the tie-break.
The quote: «It was one of the best games of my career. I think it's close to the game I played last year here against Nole. I think we both played great tennis.» Dominic Thiem
9/10

2. Nitto ATP Finals - Semi-final: Medvedev beats Nadal 3-6 7-6 6-3

Why was this a memorable match?: A first set perfectly controlled by Rafael Nadal, a second where he served for the match but could not eliminate the cagey Russian Daniil Medvedev. Winner of the Rolex Paris Masters, Medvedev finally overthrows the Spaniard.
The key moment :At 5-4 against him in the second set, Medvedev was on the verge of elimination, his opponent was serving for the match. He stayed very calm during the change of ends, and then the Russian broke back and went on to finish off the epic victory.
The quote : “I had a weird feeling up to 5-4 for him in the second set. He was better in the important moments. I decided to change a few details at that point, to be more in the field, to go there a little more. It worked very well, I am very satisfied with it." Daniil Medvedev
10/10

1. Nitto ATP Finals - Semi-final: Thiem beats Djokovic 7-5, 6-7, 7-6.

Why was this a memorable match?: Two tie-breaks, a fight of 2hr54, this Thiem-Djokovic was the main attraction of the last Masters in London. Even when the Serbian seemed to gain the upper hand mentally, Thiem still manages to play some dream tennis.
The key moment : At 0-4 against him in the tie-break of the last set, Thiem, back to the wall, hits out of his skull and wins six points in a row to earn two match points.
The quote: "What he did from 0-4 in the third set tie-break was just unreal. I don't think I played badly. Nothing missed. He hit some really short slices, angles ... What can you do?"
The key moment :At 5-4 against him in the second set, Medvedev was on the verge of elimination, his opponent was serving for the match. He stayed very calm during the change of ends, and then the Russian broke back and went on to finish off the epic victory.
The quote : “I had a weird feeling up to 5-4 for him in the second set. He was better in the important moments. I decided to change a few details at that point, to be more in the field, to go there a little more. It worked very well, I am very satisfied with it." Daniil Medvedev

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In pictures: Top 10 best matches on the ATP tour 2020

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