I’m back for the annual countdown of my favourite matches of the year. The standard disclaimer (and even more so than previous years) is that my list will miss some obvious picks because I barely watched anything from the second week of the US Open onwards due to life and tennis watching burnout. Please don’t judge me and come at me in the comments with the ones that I missed! All previous countdowns of my favourite matches since 2011 can be found on MTB here.

10. Aryna Sabalenka d. Emma Raducanu, 7-6(6) 6-4 (Wimbledon, R3)

Perhaps an I-was-there bias but I don’t care! We waited all day through tiresome best of five set men’s matches for the match of the day which started at 8pm. It was probably the best atmosphere i’ve ever experienced watching live tennis. Raducanu had Sabalenka on the ropes for the majority of the match. The first set was one of the best individual sets of the year and absolute pandemonium under the Centre Court roof. Raducanu saved seven set points at *4-5 and Sabalenka saved one in the tiebreak before managing to steady herself to win the opening set. Raducanu was inspired at the start of the second set before eventually fading as Sabalenka sealed a hard-fought win in straight sets. Their match later in the year in Cincy, which went the distance and lasted over three hours, was another contender for the list. Personally, I preferred the intensity of this match and because I was there 😂.

9. Aryna Sabalenka d. Amanda Anisimova, 6-3 3-6 6-3 (WTA Finals, SF)

This is the first of two Sabalenka-Anisimova matches in my countdown which was one of my favourite match-ups on the WTA tour in 2025. While the pair clearly have the utmost of respect for each other, there’s always an edge and neither is willing to give an inch. And it’s been so even to date with Anisimova leading the head-to-head, 6-5. I was away for the WTA Finals and this was the only match that I felt compelled to watch back in full. It was a fantastic contest with high risk, aggressive tennis from both players and the level was high. Sabalenka managed to hold Anisimova at bay with some excellent serving in the third set. A plea to the draw gods – please keep the Sabalenka-Anisimova matches coming in 2026! 😊

8. Clara Tauson d. Karolina Muchova, 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3 (Dubai, SF)

Muchova and Tauson are two of my favourite players so I was disappointed when this match-up didn’t materialise in Linz as both players lost handily in the semi-finals. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait that long for their first encounter when they played in the semi-finals of Dubai and it was an absolute cracker. Muchova is such a consistent and reliable performer when she’s healthy, while Tauson, when she’s on, is ONN! Tauson won the match showcasing great resolve to recover from losing the second set on the tiebreak. It was Muchova who stole the headlines with a hot shot winner that would go onto be crowned the WTA’s shot of the year.

7. Maya Joint d. Alexandra Eala, 6-4 1-6 7-6(10) (Eastbourne, Final)

This year’s Eastbourne tournament looked a little different following a downgrading of the tournament to 250 status – it was the first year since 2010 that I didn’t go! It was an unlikely final as Joint and Eala, both unseeded, played out the youngest final in combined age at Eastbourne since 1981. And throw in some classic Eastbourne charm with the wind blowing an absolute hoolie – the point at 4-5 in the third set was absolutely bonkers as Joint barely got away with a ball quickly dropping at the net and Eala’s remarkable defence. The highlight of the match was the sensational third set tiebreak as both played their best tennis with their backs against the wall. In the end, Joint was a little braver and bolder as she saved four championship points. Poor Eala was distraught at the end of the match. It will surely be the first of many finals for both Eala and Joint.

6. Iga Swiatek d. Elena Rybakina, 1-6 6-3 7-5 (French Open, R4)

This year’s French Open was memorable for the sheer quantity of blockbuster match-ups between the top players. There were four all top 10 clashes – the most in a Slam since the 2016 US Open. This wasn’t quite an all top 10 clash but it had the gravitas of one featuring two recent Slam champions. It certainly lived up to the hype as Swiatek rallied impressively from a set and a break down to overcome an early peaking, Rybakina. The third set was absorbing to watch as Swiatek held on through some sticky moments. Here’s hoping this is an emerging trend of big clashes and rivalries developing at the Slams in 2026.

5. Alexandra Eala d. Clara Tauson, 6-3 2-6 7-6(11) (US Open, R1)

The crowd can play such a big part in a memorable match and this was the case in a wildly entertaining contest from day 1 of the US Open. The crowd was massively pro-Eala and they cheered their player on for a historic win. Eala banished the painful memories of the Eastbourne final as she sealed the win on her 5th match point in the third set tiebreak. I’m a Tauson fan but oh boy did she manage to find a lot to complain about and it was sadly to her own detriment. After a slow start, Tauson seemed to have steadied the ship to go up 5-1 in the third set, yet an argument with the umpire and some shaky second serves allowed a tenacious and determined Eala back into the match. I was simultaneously laughing and crying at the end as my prediction of Tauson to reach the US Open final went up in flames.

4. Mirra Andreeva d. Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6 6-4 6-3 (Indian Wells, Final)

The Indian Wells final was the third meeting of the year between Andreeva and Sabalenka. Andreeva had missed 18 break points in a row until she finally converted her first break point to go up a break in the second set of this final. From them on, Andreeva didn’t look back in a terrific final as she managed to defuse Sabalenka’s game with magnificent defence, clean ball striking and sound tactics. Andreeva’s serve, arguably one of the most improved shots in women’s tennis in 2025, was a pivotal factor in the win. This was the best of Mirra as she won back-to-back 1000 titles to really announce herself as one of the biggest threats on the WTA tour.

3. Madison Keys d. Iga Swiatek, 5-7 6-1 7-6(8) (Australian Open, SF)

This was arguably the best semi-final from the Australian Open since the Halep-Kerber thriller which topped the MTB countdown in 2018. The third set was enthralling with so much tension at the end with just a point here or there separating the pair from a place in a first Australian Open final.

The third set was very enjoyable to watch as the advantage went back-and-forth. I thought Keys was going to win when she had break points at 4-3 in the third set and when she was two points away at 5-4. Then I was convinced Swiatek had it nailed on when she served for the match. Keys would end up saving a match point and prevailing in the final set tiebreak for a fabulous win. And it wasn’t the end for Keys…

2. Amanda Anisimova d. Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4 4-6 6-4 (Wimbledon, SF)

For the second year in a row, Wimbledon semi-finals day produced an absolute banger that I was privileged to watch live. This semi-final between Sabalenka and Anisimova didn’t quite have the nail-biting drama of Paolini-Vekic but delivered in terms of quality. It was loud, it was intense, it was frenetic and there was a bit of angst between the pair which sprinkled some spice into this superb semi-final.

Anisimova was the better player on the day and outplayed Sabalenka as she dominated the world number one’s second serve with consistent, aggressive returning. Anisimova’s backhand was absolutely on song and is probably my favourite shot in women’s tennis right now. It was the forehand though that sealed the deal. I’ll never forget that forehand landing in on match point! I’m still gutted about how the final played out. This is the match that I will take away from Amanda’s run at Wimby.

1. Madison Keys d. Aryna Sabalenka, 6-3 2-6 7-5 (Australian Open, Final)

It was early in the season yet nothing topped the Australian Open final for me in terms of match quality and storyline as Keys won her first Slam title with a courageous display to topple the world number one, Sabalenka. This was the tightest finish in a Slam final since the 2012 US Open (Serena d. Azarenka, 7-5 in the third set) and the tightest finish in an AO final since 1981 (!) (Navratilova d. Chris Evert, 7-5 in the third set).

After the pair split sets, the third set was touch and go. It was high quality (remarkable considering the tension) as the pair kept raising the bar with each service hold. The difference in the end was Keys being absolutely fearless, going after her shots in the big moments and essentially outhitting Sabalenka. I’m in awe of the players and how they do it because I had all the emotions – shaking, screaming and crying by the end.

To witness Madison unlock her potential and win a Slam was an absolute treat and to be honest, something I’d accepted was not going to happen. It was made all the more special with the route Keys had to navigate by beating Rybakina, Svitolina, Swiatek and Sabalenka in a row and all in three sets. Personally, this was my favourite Slam win since 2021.

Best of the rest:

Iga Swiatek d. Katie Boulter, 6-7(4) 6-1 6-4 (United Cup, QF): Boulter went toe-to-toe with Swiatek for nearly three hours. The Brit, whose backhand was inspired, was so close to the upset victory.

Iga Swiatek d. Elena Rybakina, 7-6(5) 6-4 (United Cup, SF): Another excellent match from the United Cup that reminded me of their Doha final in 2024. This match-up rarely fails to deliver.

Emma Navarro d. Daria Kasatkina, 6-4 5-7 7-5 (Australian Open, R4): One of the best contests from this year’s AO. A rollercoaster match with lung-busting rallies. It was nice to see Kasatkina going after her shots. Navarro bounced back from missed match points in the second set.

Ekaterina Alexandrova d. Aryna Sabalenka, 3-6 6-3 7-6(5) (Doha, R3): Alexandrova had always been a top ten player in waiting if only she could improve her mentality. The last 30 minutes was a ballbashers paradise.

Amanda Anisimova d. Marta Kostyuk, 4-6 7-5 6-4 (Doha, QF): The final set was of a really high standard and this was the start of what would be a sensational season for Anisimova.

Aryna Sabalenka d. Marta Kostyuk, 7-6(4) 7-6(7) (Madrid, QF): Probably would have been in my top ten if I’d managed to find a replay of the second set.

Madison Keys d. Sofia Kenin, 4-6 6-3 7-5 (French Open, R3): Keys was so damn clutch in 2025, so much so that there are three matches in this post where she saved match points. Kenin was so close to another huge win.

Elina Svitolina d. Jasmine Paolini, 4-6 7-6(6) 6-1 (French Open, R4): Svitolina did so well to wrestle control from Paolini who had three match points in the second set. Would have been top ten if it hadn’t petered out in the third set but still a thoroughly absorbing match to watch.

Löis Boisson d. Jessica Pegula, 3-6 6-4 6-4 (French Open, R4): This was a crazy match and the crowd certainly made it. Still can’t quite believe that Boisson made the semis of Roland Garros.

Elise Mertens d. Ekaterina Alexandrova, 2-6 7-6(7) 6-4 (Rosmalen, SF): A stake for the most bonkers match of the year as Mertens miraculously saved 11 match points. It was unfortunately a case of unclutch Alexandrova (although Mertens was brilliant) but impressed how she bounced back from this tough loss.

Aryna Sabalenka d. Laura Siegemund, 4-6 6-2 6-4 (Wimbledon, QF): I don’t know how Sabalenka survived the Siege. This was a fascinating clash in game styles. As divisive a character as Siegemund can be, she’s hella fun to watch.

Amanda Anisimova d. Laura Noskova, 6-2 5-7 6-4 (Wimbledon, R4): There were flashes of absolute peak ballstriking in the third set.

Aryna Sabalenka d. Elise Mertens, 6-4 7-6(4) (Wimbledon, R4): The result was never-in-doubt but it was a super high quality match with both playing very well. The pair combined for 61 winners to just 36 unforced errors.

Madison Keys d. Karolina Muchova, 4-6 6-3 7-5 (Montreal, R4): An excellent match with fun rallies between two of my favourite players. Keys saved two match points in the third set.

Barbora Krejcikova d. Taylor Townsend, 1-6 7-6(13) 6-3 (US Open, R4): Memorable for the second set tiebreak where Townsend missed eight match points, of which the majority were saved in style by Krejcikova.