Tennis News: US Open - 5 most popular men's singles matches of all time

From the big three: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to other great male players such as Dominic Thiem, Marcos Baghdatis and many more. 

With the US Open of 2022 approaching in less than ten days, it is pertinent that we discuss the five best men's US Open matches of all time. 

#1 Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5)- 2018 quarterfinals 

The quarterfinals of 2018's US Open saw two of the most talented and most vital players in the field of tennis: Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. 

So far, Rafael Nadal had already won 17 Grand Slam titles and 3 US Open titles by that time. 

Dominic Thiem, though highly talented, had reached the quarterfinals of the US Open for the first time in 2018 when he met Nadal on the court. 

Dominic Thiem defeated Nadal in the first set, leaving all stunned. Nadal, however, soon recovered from the defeat and won two straight sets. 

Dominic again won the fourth set, ending the match in Nadal's favour in a tiebreaker. 

Though the 25-year-old Dominic Thiem couldn't defeat the then 17 times Grand Slam champion Nadal, he gave him a tough fight throughout the match. 

#2 Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 - 2011 semi finals 

In the US Open semi-finals of 2011, two of the three greatest players of all time were competing to enter the finals.

On the one hand was the great tennis legend, Roger Federer, and on the other hand was Novak Djokovic, who was having a great season. It was almost impossible for anyone to defeat him in his excellent form. 

The match was interesting for two reasons: one, it was between two of the greatest tennis players and two, it was a perfectly balanced show of talent until the end, the winner wasn't clear to the audience. 

While Federer won the first two sets, Djokovic soon evened the game by winning the next two. In the final decider, though it seemed that Federer was about to win the semi-final at 5-3, Djokovic made a straight four wins taking the score to 7-5 and winning the semi-finals.  

#3 Andre Agassi vs Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5 - 2006 second round 

The tennis legend Andre Agassi retired after 2006's US Open. Meanwhile, he met the young and dynamic Marcos Baghdatis in the second round, who was ready to do everything to qualify for the third round. 

This match makes the list of the top 5 US Open matches because of a legend's zeal to extend his career by one more game, and the determination of a young player to make his name in the field was visible. 

As Agassi's fans cheered for him from the stands, the legend did succeed in extending his tennis career by one more match despite his age. 

Agassi won the second round against Marcos Baghdatis and soon ended his tennis career after losing Benjamin Becker in the third round.

#4 John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg 7-6, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4 - 1980 Finals

The 1980 finals of the US Open saw the two rivals, McEnroe and Borg, again after they had come before each other only two months back in 1980's Wimbledon.

Though the match was not as great as others mentioned on the list, the reason why this match will forever be remembered in the context of the US Open is that while Borg defeated McEnroe in the Wimbledon final only two months back, the two legends again met in a grand slam final, and this time McEnroe defeated Borg. 

The victory was relatively easy for McEnroe, 7-6, 6-1, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4; however, seeing the two legends compete with each other for two grand slam titles in a row was in itself an exciting moment for all the fans. 

#5 Pete Sampras vs Andre Agassi 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5) 2001 Quarterfinals

The rivalry between Andre Agassi and Pete Compass had grown very strong by 2001. 

They had already fought 21 grand slam singles finals amongst each other. When the two met in the US Open of 2001 during the quarterfinals for the 32nd time, it became, hands down, the most popular US Open match ever. 

Sampras was in the lead as he had won 17 out of the 32 matches he had played against Agassi while Agassi had won 14. 

Another reason why this match became a hit among the fans is that it was a night match. The American night crowd is known for its loudness and excitement, and when Sampras won the game, the audience cheered so loud that it almost felt like a celebration.