Top 3: Matches Of 2013

With the Australian summer of tennis just around the corner, we look back on the highlights of the incredible season that has just been. Here is the best of the best; the top 3 matches of 2013.

3.  Novak Djokovic Defeated Juan Martin Del-Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-3 - Wimbledon Semifinal

 Leading into the Wimbledon semi final of 2013, the only previous grass court encounter between these two heavyweights of tennis had been at the London 2012 Olympics. With the previous encounter going the way of the Argentine, the stage was set for a match which could go in anyone's favor.  In the longest Wimbledon semifinal in history, Djokovic won 6-3 in the fifth in four hours and 43 minutes. "It was one of the best matches that I've been a part of, one of the most exciting definitely" Djokovic said.

2. Rafael Nadal Defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7, Roland Garros Semifinals

Highlights: http://eurosport.yahoo.com/video/highlights-djokovic-v-nadal-160620584.html

With Djokovic seeking to become the first male to win the first two Grand Slams of a calendar year in over 20 years and Nadal searching for a record eighth Roland Garros title, the stakes were incredibly high for this semi-final match-up.  The match itself did not disappoint. Going toe to toe for nearly five hours, the Serbian jumped out to an early fifth set lead. Yet the will and spirit of Nadal (as well as Djokovic's net touch at a crucial moment) allowed Nadal to eventually close out the match 9-7 in the deciding set. Afterwards John McEnroe stated this was the highest quality clay court match he had ever witnessed.

1. Novak Djokovic Defeats Stanislas Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 12-10 - Australian Open Fourth Round

 Considered by most as the match of the tournament, the fourth round encounter between once again Novak Djokovic and the Swiss number two Stanislas Wawrinka  even outshone the Federer v Murray match in the semifinals. Incredibly even Djokovic clinching his third Aussie Open crown provided merely the footnote to this encounter.  With blistering shot making and grueling rallies, this match had it all. Ending at 1:41am on Monday morning, the Sunday night blockbuster lasted five hours and two minutes.

“Especially I was dealing with myself all the five hours, trying to always find solutions, trying to always fight against me and against him to stay with him. At the end I was really, really close. For sure I'm really sad. But I think there is more positive than negative.” - Wawrinka reflecting on his loss to the then world number 1.