'If we're both fit enough, why not?' Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal reaffirm Paris Olympic doubles hopes in Madrid

As much as Serena Williams has been missed on the WTA tour, her absence has produced some intriguing plot lines and scintillating rivalries that could continue into next season. Baseline will countdown the favorite rivalries of 2017—and here’s hoping we see more chapters in 2018.

See No. 5 here.

Head-to-head record: Williams leads 4-2

Anyone who saw the first set of the Wimbledon final between Venus Williams and Garbine Muguruza saw two of the most lethal strikers in the sport match each other stroke for powerful stroke before Muguruza broke away to win the title. When they played again at the WTA Championships, it was Williams' turn to outlast her young rival in a game of heavy artillery.

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In some ways, Williams and Muguruza’s games mirror each other: big serves, flat, penetrating forehands and very little interest in coming to net. Some favor a contrast in styles to produce a truly great rivalry, but when the hitting is this heavy, more Williams versus Muguruza please.