ESPN Tennis

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha is unveiling his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

70. Dokic reunites with dad

Who saw this coming?

Former Wimbledon semifinalist Jelena Dokic, an often tortured soul, confirmed in September that she reconciled with controversial dad Damir Dokic.

Damir Dokic coached his daughter before an acrimonious split. He recently spent about a year in jail for threatening to blow up the Australian embassy in Belgrade.

"I am in a very positive and confident frame of mind in my life, and I really wanted to do this because I believe it is the right thing to do both for me and for all of my family," Jelena Dokic said. "My father was very receptive, and I believe he has changed greatly."

69. Cancer hits Kleybanova

Every so often, the idyllic tennis world gets gate-crashed. It happened in July.

Russian Alisa Kleybanova revealed -- on her 22nd birthday -- that she was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer.

"This is the toughest time in my life, and I hope it always stays the toughest time in my life," said Kleybanova, a gritty competitor but bubbly character off court. "I'm sure I'll be able to overcome this -- it's just a matter of patience and time."

We wish you well, Alisa.

68. Zvonareva crumbles in Istanbul

It wasn't as bad as her meltdown against Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open in 2009, but Vera Zvonareva's 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 loss to Agnieszka Radwanska at the year-end championships was still painful.

Zvonareva's first mistake was letting a tired Radwanska back into the match after cruising in the opening set. Then in the third, she failed to take advantage of three match points on her own serve. Radwanska helped saved the third match point, however, with some unbelievable scrambling.

Instead of tears from Zvonareva, there were painful looking smiles.

67. Ailing Andy

Andy Roddick, after being blessed with good health for most of his career, is now having a hard time staying fit.

As the defending champion in Miami, Roddick encountered breathing issues and moved gingerly in a second-round loss to Pablo Cuevas. A shoulder injury ruled him out of the French Open -- and hampered his Wimbledon prep -- before a problem with his oblique meant he had to skip a portion of the U.S. Open Series.

"It's been, I think, the toughest year I've had," Roddick said in Shanghai. "I feel like I've been starting and stopping a lot."

Despite the lack of fluency, Roddick managed to finish inside the top 15.

66. To Russia with love

Alex Bogomolov Jr. was named the most improved player on the men's tour, climbing more than 130 spots in the rankings. His season got even better when his desired switch from U.S. to Russia in the tennis world became official this month.

Bogomolov, a longtime U.S. resident, is suddenly the Russian No. 1, which means he's a lock to be on the Russian Davis Cup team when it meets Austria in February.

Bogomolov was appreciative of the help the USTA gave him in his formative years but said the opportunity to represent the country of his birth was too great to pass up.

"I'm going to do the best I can for my family," he said. "That's my main priority, my kid, my family."

65. Murray sizzles in Asia

The field might not have been as strong as in years past, as Roger Federer so eagerly pointed out, but Andy Murray winning in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai in consecutive weeks was quite the achievement.

Murray responded in the best possible fashion after yet more disappointment at a Grand Slam (the U.S. Open).

"This is one of the best runs I've had, and I'm playing very well," Murray said.

Minor injuries surfaced thereafter, so he couldn't keep it going.

64. A classic tiebreaker

Novak Djokovic had to deal with not only the elements on a windy day in New York, but an unorthodox, unpredictable opponent in Alexandr Dolgopolov Jr. Their fourth-round clash produced arguably the best tiebreaker of the season.

Dolgopolov began by taking a 4-0 lead, only to see Djokovic win the next five points. The seesawing continued. Djokovic saved four set points and ultimately converted on his sixth attempt to win 16-14. Dolgopolov went down tamely in the next two sets.

"It was an interesting first set," Djokovic said.

The women's tiebreaker of the season also stemmed from a fourth-round match in New York. Maria Kirilenko edged eventual champion Sam Stosur 17-15.

63. Clijsters capitulates

Making her first French Open appearance in five years, this wasn't what Kim Clijsters had in mind.

Clijsters blew a set and 5-2 lead, as well as two match points, in a stunning 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 second-round defeat to tall, shy Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus.

Clijsters had missed the previous two months with an ankle injury, but that was no excuse. The inexperienced Rus was ranked 114th at the time.

"I started doubting a little bit," Clijsters said. "That's definitely the wrong attitude to have, especially for me on clay."

62. Seven in a row for Rafa

When all else fails, Rafael Nadal can count on winning in Monte Carlo.

Nadal, not having to confront Djokovic, made it lucky No. 7 -- in a row -- at the posh Monte Carlo Country Club after toppling good pal David Ferrer 6-4, 7-5 in a punishing final.

"It would have been impossible to imagine a few years ago winning seven titles here," Nadal said. "I'm a lucky guy to have done this by age 24."

When will Nadal lose in Monte Carlo?

61. Tennis players going splittsville

Two longstanding tennis romances involving Eastern Europeans came to an end.

Tomas Berdych and the oh-so-nice Lucie Safarova went their separate ways, with the former now dating a much younger model and the latter linked to a cage fighter.

Kirilenko, a former SI swimsuit model, and Igor Andreev also cut ties. Kirilenko moved on quickly, to Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin.

Ovechkin posted a picture of himself and Kirilenko on Twitter; "Me and my girlfriend Maria....she is my queen!!!!" was the accompanying caption.

Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka entered the year-end championships as two of the hottest players on tour. They're still on course to meet in Sunday's final.

But before then in Istanbul, they'll have to get past a Grand Slam winner and two-time Grand Slam finalist intent on pulling upsets.

Here's a preview of both semifinals.

Petra Kvitova versus Samantha Stosur

A star might have been born when Kvitova won Wimbledon, but it's only now that the Czech is truly blossoming.

There are signs everywhere.

When Kvitova misses, a look of annoyance rather than resignation engulfs her face: She expects to make every ball -- and she expects to win. She remains a little shy off the court, but on it she had become bolder. Kvitova is easily much more comfortable in grand surroundings, knowing she's a main attraction.

Her newfound steel is demonstrated by that clenched fist prior to returning, a la another tall Grand Slam champion from Eastern Europe. If she keeps progressing at this rate, Kvitova will no doubt end her career with more majors than Maria Sharapova.

Kvitova's fate largely rests in her hands when she plays, and Friday's 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory against Polish battler Agnieszka Radwanska was a good example. Down 5-1 in the first set as the errors flowed, a flurry of winners got Kvitova back to 5-5 -- and quickly. She went undefeated in the Red Group, bringing her win streak to eight matches, and she is playing like a world No. 1.

Stosur won't be lacking confidence, either.

After all, she's also a Grand Slam champion and thrashed a completely frazzled Li Na 6-1, 6-0 on Friday to advance. Stosur's heavy kick serve provided the power, while her short backhand slices continually deceived.

But Stosur's kick serve is likely to land right in Kvitova's wheelhouse. Another problem for Stosur is that Kvitova usually goes cross court with her monstrous lefty forehand. If the pattern continues, it means a slew of balls to Stosur's backhand, her much weaker wing.

Unless Kvitova capitulates, the winning streak should linger.

Prediction: Kvitova in two

Vera Zvonareva versus Victoria Azarenka

It was all going so well for Zvonareva against Radwanska on Thursday.

She was ripping winners down the line, being aggressive at the right times and keeping cool against a wily opponent who'd beaten her three matches in a row. A downbeat, ailing Radwanska looked like she was ready to check out in an hour.

But when Zvonareva was broken early in the second set, she panicked. After wasting three match points, Zvonareva suffered one of the worst losses of her tumultuous career.

As down as she was, Zvonareva has a second chance. Her bags were probably packed when Radwanska, who needed just to win a single set to advance to the semifinals, took a 5-1 lead against Kvitova in the first set Friday. But we know how that played out.

The way this season has gone on the women's tour, you never know what might happen next. Zvonareva is 6-3 against Azarenka, one of the few players who possess a solid head-to-head record against the Belarusian. Zvonareva, who benefited from a day off Friday, suffered a bad loss to Azarenka in Miami the last time they played but has won two of the past three encounters.

Further, whenever Azarenka appears to be on the verge of something special, she can't see it through. As the favorite against Li at the French Open, Li prevailed, and as the favorite versus Kvitova at Wimbledon, Kvitova prevailed.

But is this finally a different Azarenka, one who can triumph at an important event -- outside Miami?

Azarenka has built on the momentum she collected in capturing a title last week in Luxembourg, breezing past Stosur and Li in straight sets this week.

With nothing to play for Friday -- excluding prize money, and she has enough of that -- Azarenka looked disinterested against alternate Marion Bartoli in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 loss that snapped her nine-match winning streak (which includes a walkover). She had no intention of winning the final set; Bartoli, as tennis fan pointed out on Twitter, exerted more effort on her famous practice swings. The fans didn't like it.

Etiquette aside, don't read too much into it.

When it really mattered, against Stosur and Li, Azarenka ascended to another level, serving well, dominating from the baseline and retrieving admirably. She's mentally tougher than Zvonareva, and motivation won't be in short supply Saturday.

Prediction: Azarenka in three

Thursday turned out to be quite an eventful day at the year-end championships. Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova advanced to the semifinals, while an ailing Caroline Wozniacki's journey ended.

Already without Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters, the final four won't include Woz or the other marquee name in the field, Maria Sharapova. Organizers must be happy, eh?

And in the match of the tournament, Agnieszka Radwanska took advantage of Vera Zvonareva's choke, er, nervousness, to keep her own chances of progressing alive.

Here's what we learned about each of the six players in action.

Petra Kvitova def. Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-2

Wozniacki has a giant heart

Wozniacki has had a long, long season. Much of that, mind you, is thanks to her and her entourage. She plays way too much, exhibitions included, and her off-the-court diary always appears to be booked. The world No. 1 can't stand still.

All that said, however, Wozniacki deserves plenty of credit for the way she handled herself against Kvitova. Feeling unwell -- her pulse and blood pressure were taken early in the second set -- there was no retirement. Did you see that, Vika?

Rest up, Caro, and try to land that first major. The task will be even harder in 2012.

Kvitova's one wild ride

You can't take your eyes off Kvitova. Who knows what's coming off her racket next? When the Czech misses, she does it with oomph. Kvitova almost clubbed Wozniacki with a drive volley that sailed long and hit a backhand volley that nearly made it to the backboard on the fly. One of her serves landed near the baseline, and an easy-looking forehand smash (or was it a volley?) hit none of the court.

Fortunately for the Wimbledon champion, she kept the misses to a minimum. Irrespective of Wozniacki's health, if Kvitova is on, the Dane doesn't have much hope.

Victoria Azarenka def. Li Na 6-2, 6-2

Vika's coach is pretty good

When Li beat Azarenka in the French Open quarterfinals, she pounded Azarenka's second serve. Seventeen points played -- and only six won by the Belarusian. Her coach, Sam Sumyk, was no doubt aware of that.

So what did Azarenka do Thursday? She made sure her first-serve percentage was up there. Taking the pace slightly off, it finished at 80. In the first set alone, it was 89.

Sumyk already has worked wonders with Azarenka's temperament -- the most aggression she shows now is in her scary, celebratory postmatch windmill fist pump -- and has the Frenchman turned Vika into Rafa II? Some of her scrambling was outstanding.

It's adding up to a Vika-Petra final.

Li's a confident player

When Li won the first set against Sharapova on Wednesday, her body language changed for the better. Not surprisingly, her game picked up. Sharapova's ankle injury gave her a further boost.

But after dropping the first set against Azarenka, you knew there was no coming back. Still lacking confidence, despite topping Sharapova, Li doesn't have the ability to grind out matches -- at least right now. Li fell to 4-12 in encounters where she's conceded the opening set this year and is 0 for her past 7.

Expect it to worsen to 0-for-8 when Li confronts Sam Stosur in their group finales; Stosur leads their head-to-heads 5-0. The winner lands second place in their group. Sacking Michael Mortensen was a big mistake.

Agnieszka Radwanska def. Vera Zvonareva 1-6, 6-2, 7-5

Zvonareva is still a work in progress

How, oh, how did Zvonareva lose this match?

Even before blowing three match points in the third set, she made things too difficult for herself. Radwanska looked listless and helpless in the opening set, her heavily strapped right shoulder continuing to cause problems.

Zvonareva was in total control until she suddenly switched off early in the second. From then on, Radwanska gained belief. Zvonareva's own belief dipped, and so did her game. The killer instinct was missing. She made 55 unforced errors and stopped going to the net, a tactic so successful in the first.

There is a positive, though. Zvonareva didn't explode on court à la her 2009 collapse against Flavia Pennetta at the U.S. Open. Rather, she tried to smile away her frustration.

Radwanska never quits

Maybe Zvonareva's swoon had something to do with her recent record against Radwanska -- she'd lost three in a row, all since the U.S. Open Series.

Radwanska saved her best stuff for the final set. No wonder the crowd was on its feet after she saved the third match point with nothing but hustle.

Unfortunately for Radwanska, up next is Kvitova, who could feast on Radwanska's modest serves.

The show must go on.

Yes, without the world's most dominant female player (Serena Williams), its most marketable (Maria Sharapova), a second comeback Belgian (Justine Henin) and big-name veteran (Venus Williams) the women's year-end championships begin Tuesday in cash-heavy Qatar.

The WTA Tour's prayers were answered when it came to U.S. Open Champion Kim Clijsters, though. Clijsters has recovered in time from a foot infection to compete.

ESPN.com breaks down the eight competitors.

The favorites

Caroline Wozniacki: Wozniacki is in a bit of a no-win situation. If she wins the title in Doha, Qutar, especially without topping Clijsters, critics will say the Dane didn't have to beat anyone special. If she fails to win, it gives more ammunition to those who feel she's not a worthy No. 1.

Nonetheless, Wozniacki is on a roll, going 24-1 in her past 25. Further, for the first time in a while before a massive event, she's fit and/or rested. "I'm 100 percent healthy now," she told her website last week, also throwing in a great line about being followed by the paparazzi.

Kim Clijsters: Clijsters hasn't played since the U.S. Open, so rust figures to be a factor. Just how rusty is the question. If Clijsters finds her form quickly, the power baseliner has to be the leading contender.

Clijsters is without hubby Brian and bubbly daughter Jada, regulars in her entourage. Is that good in the sense she can focus entirely on tennis or bad since she'll no doubt be missing them?

Vera Zvonareva: Could Zvonareva be the sentimental favorite, slightly ahead of Francesca Schiavone? Zvonareva has had a breakthrough season, reaching two Grand Slam finals, and appears to have become calmer. She's still a work in progress on court. Claiming the title might take the Russian's confidence to another level, setting her up nicely for the Slams in 2011.

Don't count 'em out

Francesca Schiavone: Schiavone has a lovely all-court game and now the confidence to trouble big hitters on a hard court, as the Italian showcased at the U.S. Open. She enjoyed success on the recently completed Asian swing, too.

Although Schiavone has one eye on the upcoming Fed Cup final -- she loves representing Italy -- expect her to give it her all in Doha. At 30, she's the oldest competitor and one of two debutants.

"For sure I want to enjoy it, but I also want to keep going forward," she told the WTA Tour's website last week. "This is just the start for me."

Victoria Azarenka: Who knows what she'll do. Azarenka, only participating because of injuries to others, could lose all of her matches or go unbeaten.

The highly volatile 21-year-old, who went into meltdown mode in Doha in 2009, enters in good spirits, having won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday.

Samantha Stosur: Despite reaching the fourth round or better at three of the Slams in 2010, Stosur remains a tad unpredictable, although not in the same class as Azarenka.

Given that Stosur has struggled in the past to believe she can mix it with the elite, it'll be interesting to see how she fares. The serve and forehand need to be working.

Little chance

Elena Dementieva: We all admire Dementieva for her work ethic and lack of excuses. It's refreshing, but Dementieva can't win a huge tournament. This year gave us more proof. Dementieva lost to Henin in Melbourne, Australia, and failed to finish off Stosur in New York. Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Russian in the semis.

Jelena Jankovic: Jankovic, the antithesis of Dementieva when it comes to excuses, dealt with more health problems in Moscow. It's too bad Na Li couldn't get into the tournament, since she'd be a much bigger threat than Jankovic. Jankovic only had one decent major and did virtually nothing (apart from Indian Wells) outside the clay-court campaign.

John McEnroe, never one to shy away from predictions, said after the quarterfinals that he would stand on his head if Serena Williams didn't win the Wimbledon title this fortnight. He must have been a little edgy Thursday when Williams fell behind an early break to Czech left-hander Petra Kvitova. The 12-time Grand Slam champion recovered, of course.

ESPN.com grades the Wimbledon semifinalists, with Williams' next opponent, Vera Zvonareva, leading the way.

Vera Zvonareva

There was a moment in Zvonareva's 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova when you thought the Russian might revert to type and implode. Zvonareva had just missed a backhand into the net facing set point, undoing a minicomeback from 40-0 down. She berated herself.

What would happen during the changeover?

Nothing, as it turned out.

"I've been in a lot of different situations in the past, and I think I know how to turn the matches around much better now," Zvonareva said.

Zvonareva used her all-court game to rally past Pironkova, totaling 31 winners and 13 unforced errors. She went 29-for-35 on net approaches.

Grade: A-. She's looking mentally tough.

Serena Williams

Most expected Williams to blow away Kvitova. Except Williams, that is. Williams said before the match that she had watched Kvitova earlier in the tournament and was impressed.

Williams served well at key moments again and won 80 percent of her points behind her first serve. She took advantage of a loose game to break back in the first set and ended up prevailing 7-6 (5), 6-2. Her defense was outstanding.

Plus, she doled out a rare compliment. "She does everything good," Williams said of Kvitova.

Williams, however, didn't start well.

Grade: B+. She was workmanlike, not dominant.

Petra Kvitova

Reaching the semis was no fluke for Kvitova, a tall, hard-hitting baseliner whose game resembles that of compatriot and men's semifinalist Tomas Berdych. Third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, a slightly rejuvenated Victoria Azarenka and three other previous Grand Slam quarterfinalists (at least) were among her victims.

Kvitova started well against Williams, especially with the cross-court forehand. She was the one standing closer to the baseline. The 20-year-old was even one point from leading 5-2 in the opening set.

She predictably fizzled in the second.

"I think it was a great match for me," Kvitova said.

Grade: B. She made it closer than we thought.

Tsvetana Pironkova

Pironkova picked up where she left off against Venus Williams, ripping backhands and throwing in big serves. As with Kvitova, there were no nerves.

But she began to wobble early in the second. When Zvonareva broke for 3-2, it unsettled Pironkova. Zvonareva was suddenly the one doing the dictating.

Here's hoping 82nd-ranked Pironkova isn't a one-Slam wonder.

"There are many things I should work on, and I will do it with pleasure," she said. "Now I have lots of motivation."

Grade: B-. The magic dissipated.

Serena and Venus Williams remain on course for a third straight meeting in a Wimbledon final. The sisters advanced in similar fashion Monday, beating hard-hitting opponents in two tight sets.

Serena continues her march Tuesday against China's Li Na in the pick of the quarterfinals, while Venus meets Bulgarian upstart Tsvetana Pironkova. Pironkova and Petra Kvitova make their Grand Slam quarterfinal debuts.

Serena Williams (1) versus Li Na (9)

Li is in good form, having won a Wimbledon tuneup in Birmingham and eliminating Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska (a particularly tough opponent on grass) with ease in the fourth round. Li's power baseline game can trouble anyone.

Serena needs no convincing.

"She always gives me a run for my money," said the world No. 1.

Serena leads 4-1 in their head-to-heads, although all five encounters have been close. The last three sets between the pair, January's Australian Open semifinal included, have gone to tiebreaks. Serena's serve was the difference, and she has produced a generous 39 aces the previous two matches.

Prediction: Williams in three.

Venus Williams (2) versus Tsvetana Pironkova

Venus won't be taking Pironkova lightly, either. At the 2006 Australian Open, the Bulgarian beat Venus 9-7 in the third set.

Pironkova crushes the ball almost as hard as anyone from the baseline, and should be higher than her current ranking of 82nd. She's still struggling with consistency.

"She's talented and she can beat some top players every now and then," Venus said. "So I have to be on the watch for that, continue to play my game as I am now."

Venus stuttered slightly in the fourth round against Aussie Jarmila Groth, who possesses a game reminiscent of Pironkova's. Twice Groth failed to serve out the second set.

Prediction: Williams in three.

Kim Clijsters (8) versus Vera Zvonareva (21)

Clijsters turned it around before it was too late against fellow Belgian Justine Henin in the fourth round, eking ahead 13-12 in their head-to-heads. In winning the second and third sets, Clijsters served well, was consistently good from the baseline and put away comfortable volleys.

The win must have done loads for her confidence, because Henin had won five straight against Clijsters in majors.

Zvonareva reached her first Wimbledon quarterfinal when Jelena Jankovic retired because of a knee injury, trailing by a set and 3-0. What a surprise. The only reason the Russian drifted out of the top 10 was because of an ankle injury sustained last year. Zvonareva is trying to overturn an 0-5 record against Clijsters.

Prediction: Clijsters in two.

Petra Kvitova versus Kaia Kanepi

No one possibly could have predicted this quarterfinal. Kvitova, a lefty from the Czech Republic and ranked No. 62, entered Wimbledon on a three-match losing streak.

Kanepi, a big right-hander from Estonia, boosted her ranking from outside the top 100 to its current spot of 80th thanks to better results the last 1½ months.

Kvitova trounced fourth-ranked Caroline Wozniacki in 45 minutes in the fourth round, and Kanepi, a qualifier, eased past Kvitova's fellow Czech, Klara Zakopalova, in routine fashion, 6-2, 6-4.

Kvitova trails their head-to-heads 2-1.

Prediction: Kanepi in three.