Wimbledon 2012: Recapping Top Performances from All England Club

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London was a city of shock these past couple of weeks.

In Wimbledon 2012, the spotlight shifted away from the top of the tennis world and the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. The All England Club allowed unknowns as well as past superstars to shine instead of the usual bunch.

Stories of dramatic upsets and revivals were woven into one tournament. Here are those stories—the five most memorable performances from the 126th edition of Wimbledon.

5. Sabine Lisicki over Maria Sharapova

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Maria Sharapova entered Wimbledon coming off a victory in the 2012 French Open and was the No. 1 women's tennis player in the world.

This was her tournament to lose—and she lost it.

Or, you could say Sabine Lisicki took it from her. The 22-year-old German defeated Sharapova 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round, silencing talk of back-to-back grand slam titles.

Glenn Moore of The Independent reported that Lisicki was fueled by more than the desire to advance. She said after her victory, "It's revenge, for all three times she's beaten me."

Ironically, it's the second year in a row Lisicki has eliminated the French Open champion in London. She beat Li Na in 2011, and it just so happened that Sharapova was the one who took her out.

4. Lukas Rosol over Rafael Nadal

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Nearly every tennis fan in the world was asking the question, "Who you got—Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal?"

Well, neither juggernaut reached the Wimbledon Final. The first to fall was Rafa and in the second round, no less.

After dominating on clay, grass made the tennis giant look ordinary as Lukas Rosol outlasted him in a five-set match. The loss came after Nadal struggled against Thomaz Bellucci in the first round.

Stephanie Myles of the Edmonton Journal reported that Rosol said after shocking the world, "I'm sorry for Rafa, but today I was somewhere else and I'm really happy for this, you know. Still I cannot find the words. I still can't believe it. It's like dream for me."

2012 marked the first year the 26-year-old Czech had even advanced past the first round of qualifying at Wimbledon.

3. Andy Murray over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

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Andy Murray was tired of being No. 4.

With Rafael Nadal eliminated, Murray had an opportunity to advance to the Wimbledon Final for the first time, and he took advantage of it.

With the London crowd on his side, the No. 1 British tennis player in the world ousted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Murray advanced to the final match after falling short in the semifinals the last three years.

Martyn Herman of Reuters reported that Murray described what he was feeling after his W, saying, "Bit of relief, excitement, it's tough to explain. It was such a close match I've just got to keep it together for the final. It will be one of the biggest matches of my life."

2. Roger Federer over Andy Murray

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As nice of a story as it would've been if Andy Murray were to win his first Grand Slam in London, Roger Federer chose to write a different ending.

Federer defeated Murray in the final 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to win his seventh Wimbledon title.

And with the win, the drought is finally over. Federer hadn't won a Grand Slam since 2010 or at Wimbledon since 2009.

While still considered part of the Big Three, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had dominated the men's game the past two years. With Nadal watching most of the tournament with the rest of the world, the 30-year-old Federer refused to let the golden opportunity pass by in a dwindling career.

He knocked off Djoker in the semifinals, and then took care of business against the crowd favorite. 

1. Serena Williams over Agnieszka Radwanska

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The only thing more impressive than overcoming age like Roger Federer is overcoming age and life-threatening physical ailments like Serena Williams.

Not only did Serena battle back from two foot surgeries to return to tennis but blood clots in her lungs as well. She returned to the game from a pulmonary embolism, and as of a month ago, she didn't look like the same force. Williams was eliminated in the first round of the French Open, but she refused to admit that retirement was on her radar.

No one is talking retirement after her victory on Saturday; Williams defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to win her elusive 14th singles title.

According to the Associated Press, Williams said she's back for good (via The Washington Post):

"It's the beginning of a great phase. I feel amazing out there. This whole tournament I felt really great physically. So it's definitely the beginning of something great. I hope it is."

As impressive as Federer's return to glory was, it doesn't touch Serena's.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and is a syndicated writer.

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