The Baseline Top 5: Best Madrid matches

The Mutua Madrid Open has seen plenty of fanfare over the years. From its famous blue clay experiment gone bad to free-speaking tournament owner Ion Tiriac, the Madrid event has had few issues attracting attention.

But what it should be known for is its tennis. Here are five of the best matches in Madrid history:

1

Serena Williams def. Victoria Azarenka, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6(1)

Two of the WTA Tour’s most familiar faces will be missing from this year’s field in Madrid. Azarenka is gearing up for a return following the birth of her son in December, while Williams is stepping away for her own first child (due in the fall).

But look back two years, and you will find that the duo put on a show for the crowd in Spain, with Azarenka in prime position to defeat the top seed. The Belarusian was up 6-5 in the third set, serving at 40-0. The match was as good as over, right?

Wrong.

Williams managed to take advantage of Azarenka’s nerves to survive that service game (with the help of some double faults) and storm through the tiebreak for the victory, before eventually bowing out in the semifinals.

2

Rafael Nadal def. Ivan Ljubicic, 3–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 (3)

Rafael Nadal has accomplished a lot throughout the course of his illustrious career. This match against Ljubicic was the first time that he ever won a best-of-five sets match after trailing by two sets to none. The Croatian was on a 16-match winning streak heading into the final, back when the Madrid Open was played on hard courts in October rather than on clay in May.

Nadal gained an early lead in the match’s deciding tiebreak, and never looked back to complete the stunning turnaround.

Ljubicic had nothing but praise for Nadal.

"It was a beautiful feeling to play here,” Ljubicic said. “I'm really happy for Rafa because he's young and will have a lot of victories ahead of him still to come.”

"A lot of victories" was probably an understatement. Nadal has won four Madrid titles.

3

Grigor Dimitrov def. Novak Djokovic, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (8), 6-3

This early round clash against Djokovic was one of Dimitrov's flashes of top star quality. In Indian Wells that year, Djokovic cruised by Dimitrov following a tough opening set. So when the Serbian had two set points to escape with the lead, it looked like déjà vu.

But Dimitrov did not go anywhere, fighting back to grab the opener and then a 4-2 lead in the second set. Djokovic did manage to win a tiebreak in the second, but Dimitrov held his ground, taking an early lead that he would not relinquish for what was the biggest win of his young career (at that stage).

Was Djokovic playing like the full-fledged champion he has proven himself to be in this match? Not really, but Dimitrov’s mental effort to maintain his game throughout the third set was plenty impressive in itself.

4

Roger Federer def. Tomas Berdych, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5

How can anyone talk about the best matches in Madrid Open history without discussing one from the event’s year on blue clay?

It is only fitting that 18-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer was the player who came out on top. But it didn’t always seem like he was in complete control against Berdych, who had beaten him four times previously.

The Czech stormed through the first set with a performance befitting of his potential, striking 12 more winners than unforced errors.

But Federer did not go away, taking the second set and what looked like an insurmountable break in the third. Yet the Czech broke the Swiss—when he was serving for the match—to even affairs at five games apiece. Federer stayed cool, and sealed the final match on blue dirt.

5

Maria Sharapova def. Li Na, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3

One of the most odd head-to-head match-ups on the WTA Tour in recent years was Sharapova-Li. The Russian won their first five meetings before the Chinese superstar took the next four, with each winning on every surface (hard, clay and grass). But perhaps they saved one of their best matches for last, coming at the 2014 Madrid Open.

Li looked as if she was in total control, cruising through the first set as a Sharapova error ceded her a 4-3 lead in the second set. Sharapova broke back, and then saved another break point at 5-5.

Li still had the edge in momentum, but that changed with Sharapova winning the tiebreaker. The Russian broke immediately to start the third set, and despite having to stave off Li’s efforts to get back on even terms, held on for the comeback victory.