Ranking the Best Budding Rivalries in Tennis Today
Tennis rivalries help to define an era in the sport.
Matches between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, and Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert represent the style of play, level of competition and even fashion of particular times.
Those iconic rivalries began as recurring matchups that grew in stature over the years.
Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal still tops the best rivalry among active players. Novak Djokovic versus Federer has developed into one of the best rivalries this year.
But those rivalries are beyond budding. They have blossomed into classics and belong among the all-time great rivalries.
Which budding rivalries today have the best potential to become all-time favorites tomorrow?
The best budding rivalries feature the following ingredients: established or rising stars, compelling storylines, elevated level of play and a revenge factor.
The best budding rivalries offer more than mere frequent matchups. Stan Wawrinka and Nadal have met many times, but Nadal holds a 12-1 edge. Even after Wawrinka beat Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final, their last meeting, few saw this as a budding rivalry. It was more like a personal triumph for Wawrinka.
When Eugenie Bouchard plays Maria Sharapova, the match is promoted as a spokesmodel showdown. The level of play falls short of the hype. Besides, Sharapova leads that series 5-0.
The best budding rivalries are those that promise excitement. Eyes light up when these players show up on the same side of the draw.
Criteria used to rank these budding rivalries includes competitiveness, fan interest, personalities and the players' rankings. Of course, the rivalry has to be budding, as in a recent development. The players must have met at least three times. This would eliminate Venus Williams and Madison Keys, who have split their two meetings.
Age is a factor but not a deal-breaker. There are plenty of future stars on tour. However, many have yet to establish any true rivalries.
The following are among the best budding rivalries in tennis.
10. Caroline Garcia vs. Ana Ivanovic
1 of 10
When Caroline Garcia beat fifth-seeded Ana Ivanovic at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart earlier this week, the word "upset" filled headlines and Twitter feeds.
But was that an upset? It's the third win in a row for Garcia, who leads the series 3-1.
The young French woman, who Andy Murray declared a future No. 1 player, has quietly put together a solid year. She's managed to glide under the radar while more attention is paid to Bouchard and Keys.
What makes this rivalry fun is that the women are so similar in size and style of play. It's like watching mirror images.
Their meetings are always hard-hitting, shot-making affairs.
9. Garbine Muguruza vs. Simona Halep
2 of 10
Simona Halep will become the No. 2 ranked player on Monday. She has a chance to bypass Serena Williams for the No. 1 spot in the "Road to Singapore" rankings race. She's won more titles this year than anyone on tour. Yet up until this week, Halep had never beaten No. 20 Garbine Muguruza.
The hard-hitting Spainard, who upset Serena Williams at the French Open last year, seemed to over-power Halep. Muguruza appeared on her way to another win again at Stuttgart, taking the first set 6-3 in 34 minutes.
At 6'0" and 161 pounds, Muguruza packs a punishing forehand and dismissed Halep's serve as if taking batting practice. However, a more aggressive Halep roared back and won the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-3.
Power versus precision never gets old. With Muguruza only 21 and Halep just 23, this could grow into a must-see matchup.
8. Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. John Isner
3 of 10
John Isner leads this series 4-3. However, Philipp Kohlschreiber has ended Isner's run at the U.S. Open three years in a row. Each of those defeats came in the third round.
Kohlschreiber's last victory over Isner marked the first time the American had lost three tiebreakers in one match. Somehow, Isner lost that match despite never losing his serve.
Similar to the way Kei Nishikori handles Milos Raonic, Kohlschreiber finds a way to pluck away at the big guy's game. He forces Isner to play it out instead of or serving his way out of trouble.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Andy Murray vs. Grigor Dimitrov
4 of 10
This rivalry with Grigor Dimtrov was born when the young Bulgarian upset defending champion Andy Murray at the 2014 Wimbledon.
Murray won their last meeting, a grueling four-set contest, 6-4, 6-7, (5-7), 6-3, 7-5, in the fourth-round of the 2015 Australian Open.
It's the brooding Brit against the flashy youngster. Murray leads the series 5-2. Both of Dimitrov's wins came in 2014. The future of this rivalry rests with Dimitrov and whether he can overcome inconsistent performances against top players.
6. Angelique Kerber vs. Maria Sharapova
5 of 10
Angelique Kerber upset Sharapova at Stuttgart. It was the second consecutive win over Sharapova, who had been 13-0 at the tournament.
Sharapova leads this series 4-3. However, Kerber has won the last two, and they were huge wins. She also upended Sharapova's run at the 2014 Wimbledon.
Kerber's ability to absorb power is the hallmark of her counterpunching game. Unlike many counterpunchers, Kerber can deliver knockout blows. When she switches gears from defense to offense, she sometimes catches Sharapova by surprise, wrong-footing the Russian.
Neither is a newcomer, but their rivalry is just revving up.
5. Kei Nishikori vs Milos Raonic
6 of 10
Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori have already met seven times in their young careers. Nishikori leads the series 5-2.
It's the classic big-serving giant versus the quick, speedy little guy. But don't let Nishikori's size fool you. This guy whacks some wicked groundstrokes from both wings.
What makes this rivalry compelling is that these two rose up the ranks together. They are the most accomplished and consistent of the "new guard."
Their matches have been a contrast in style. Raonic rockets aces and Nishikori tries to pick them off early. So far, Nishikori is getting the better of Raonic, neutralizing that mighty serve. Perhaps Raonic will improve his movement and figure out how to combat Nishikori's counterattack.
4. Serena Williams vs. Alize Cornet
7 of 10
Serena Williams has an astounding 64-6 record against the rest of the top 10. However, she's 3-3 against No. 28 Alize Cornet.
Their head-to-head is slightly misleading because one of Cornet's wins was a walkover after Williams withdrew from a tournament. Still, the French woman seems to have a knack for getting under Williams' skin
Cornet's slicing and chipping seem to nag Williams, who looks visibly distressed during their matches. What makes Cornet's wins most puzzling is that she does not posses a powerful serve or any game-changing shot.
It's one of the more compelling matchups on the WTA Tour.
3. Roger Federer vs. Gael Monfils
8 of 10
These two have been around for years. However, their matches didn't reach rivalry status until after a classic showdown at the 2014 U.S. Open.
Federer leads the head-to-head 8-4. But Monfils has won three of the last five, including two straight. It seems the devastating loss to Federer convinced Monfils he could be the 17-Slam winner.
A few months later, Monfils defeated Federer at Davis Cup.
Although Monfils is known as the showman, Federer has his own brand of flair. Federer's movement may be more ballet and Monfils' closer to modern dance, but they are both fun to watch perform.
Their mutual respect and admiration only makes the contest more enjoyable. How many more matches will we see? Federer is closing in on retirement, and with the way Monfils throws his body around, his limbs might retire before Federer.
2. Serena Williams vs. Simona Halep
9 of 10
Williams' 5-1 record against Simona Halep clouds the beauty of this budding rivalry.
The semifinal match between Williams and Halep at the 2015 Miami Open was one of the best on the women's tour this year.
Halep had just captured the title at Indian Wells, where Williams had made a triumphant return. The two were slated to play in the semifinals when Williams withdrew due to injury. Afterward, Halep talked to reporters about wanting a shot at Williams.
She got it. In an instant classic, the two battled in front of a ruckus crowd, including rowdy Romanian fans who chanted "Si-mo-na, Si-mo-na" throughout the match. Williams won 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
It was their first meeting since playing twice in the year-end championships in Singapore last year. Halep destroyed Williams 6-0, 6-2 in the first match. It was one of the worst losses in Williams' career.
With a spot in the semifinals secure, Halep could have eliminated Williams from the competition by rolling over against Ana Ivanovic in the round-robin competition. Win one set and Williams was in. Halep lost the first set but won the second. She lost the match, but Williams' spot had been secured.
Williams went on to blast Halep off the court in the finals, 6-3, 6-0.
When they met in Miami, it seemed at first as if Williams would deliver another beat down. But Halep pushed Williams to a thrilling third set.
Halep's improved play against Williams has made this a fun matchup. Her status as the new No. 2 player (when rankings are released April 27) just adds to the budding rivalry.
With Victoria Azarenka struggling to get back to the top 20 and Sharapova's 2-17 record against Williams, Halep has emerged as the biggest threat to the No. 1 player.
1. Kei Nishikori vs. Novak Djokovic
10 of 10
The matchup features two of the quickest guys on tour. They strike some of the sweetest backhand crosscourt winners you'll ever see.
Djokovic leads the head-to-head 3-2. However, Nishikori changed the nature of the rivalry when he defeated Djokovic at the 2014 U.S. Open semifinals.
Nishikori was seeded No. 10. Djokovic was trying to reach the finals for the fifth straight year.
It was a historic win. Nishikori became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal. The two met later in London at the ATP World Tour finals. Djokovic won that match 6-1, 3-6, 6-0.
Although Nishikori is considered part of the next wave of superstars, he's only two years younger than Djokovic. Their rivalry has heated up because Nishikori has become a fixture in the top five.
This rivalry has a long way to go before it's anything close to Federer-Nadal or even Federer-Djokovic. However, this rivalry has the potential to be era-defining.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
