The Top Grand Slam Players of 2010

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Time for a review of the 2010 grand slam season.

Career-high sanyaku ranks are marked with an "*".

1. Rafael Nadal (Yokozuna, open era rank: 7, SF-W-W-W)

Three slam titles (French, Wimbledon, US), completing a career slam, and only one title away from Dai-Yokozuna (great Grand Champion) status. What can one say more. Oh yes: might have won the Aussie Open as well had he not been injured. Nadal's dominance in 2010 was almost scary.

1. Serena Williams (Dai-Yokozuna, 5, W-QF-W-A)

Remains head and shoulders above the rest of the ladies' field: defended her crowns at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, reached the quarterfinals at her lest-favored slam in Paris, had to sit out the US Open. The queen of women' tennis.

2. Roger Federer (Dai-Yokozuna, 2, W-QF-QF-SF)

It feels like this is the twilight of his career, but what a twilight it is: won the Australian Open for his 16th grand slam title, made it to the quarterfinals everywhere else (and to the semifinals at the US Open). At nearly 30 years of age still able to win anything any day.

2. Vera Zvonareva (Ozeki*, 50, R4-R2-F-F)

Made her career breakthrough in 2010 with back-to-back finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. Lost clearly on both occasions, but she has established herself as part of the elite on the ladies' tour. A first-time ozeki (Champion) promotion has been the result.

3. Novak Djokovic (Ozeki, 31, QF-QF-SF-F)

Showed in 2010 why he has been continously at Ozeki since the US Open 2007: regular quarternfinal participant at the slams, semifinals at Wimbledon, then the down to the wire at the US Open after overcoming his nemesis Federer. Lost to, well, Nadal.

3. Kim Clijsters (Ozeki, 15, R3-A-QF-W)

Missed the early part of the season, came back at Wimbledon. Then peaked again in New York, winnning her third slam by blowing Zvonareva off the court--the same player who had still beaten her at Wimbledon. Now the strongest female Ozeki of the open era.

4. Andy Murray (Komusubi, ex-Sekiwake, 50, F-R4-SF-R3)

His career's jo-jo pattern continued: 2nd grand slam final at the Aussie open, early exit at Roland Garros, semis at Wimbledon, then a tough to watch implosion at Flushing Meadows. Clearly has potential for Ozeki, but consitency at the slams continues to lack.

4. Francesca Schiavone (Sekiwake*, 46, R4-W-R1-QF)

The sensation of the 2010 season: won the French Open at an age of almost 30, after having been an also-ran for most of her career, and eanred a promotion straihgt to Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I). Confirmed at the US Open that her triumph was not a fluke.

5. Tomas Berdych (Ozeki*, 81, R2-SF-F-R1)

Had his breathrough year after having been considered a great talent for some time. Semis at Roland garros, then final in Wimbledon, after eliminating Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. Early exit at the US Open, hence kadoban Ozeki at end-year.

5. Samantha Stosur (Sekiwake*, 68, R4-F-R1-QF)

Established hersef firmly in the world elite in 2010 with a first-time grand slam final in Paris that she lost--somewhat surprisingly--to Schiavone. Reached another quarterfinal in New York, where she gave Clijsters one of the toughest match of the tournament.

6. Robin Soderling (Sekiwake, 57, R1-F-QF-QF)

A well-established threat now, can beat any player any day. Reverse fortune at Roland Garros compared to 2009: then he sensationally beat Nadal but lost to Federer in the final, this time he kicked out the Dai-Yokozuna but then fell to Nadal. Quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open. The "George Foreman of tennis" according to McEnroe.

6. Venus Williams (Yokozuna, 9, QF-R4-QF-SF)

The long-time Yokozuna showed that she is still to be reckoned with. The quarterfinal exit at Wimbledon was perhaps a tad disappointing, but her strong run at the US Open all the way to the semifinals compensated, ending with a nailbiter-loss to Clijsters.

Honorable mention:

Mikhail Youzhny (Komusubi, 104, R3-QF-R2-SF), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ex-Sekiwake, 77, SF-R4-QF-A), Justine Henin (Yokozuna, 10, F-R4-R4-A), Caroline Wozniacki (Sekiwake, 67, R4-QF-R4-SF), Na Li (ex-Sekiwake, 86, SF-R3-QF-R1)

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