The US Open has provided some of the most memorable finals in history. Simon Hopper gives his top 5 men’s and women’s finals from the Open era – do you agree with his US Open picks?

US Open Men’s Final

Some of the most dramatic moments in men’s tennis history have occurred at Flushing Meadows – see what you think of my top 5 men’s finals…

1. Juan Martin del Potro v Roger Federer, 2009 (del Potro won 3–6, 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 6–2)

A slightly controversial choice, but del Potro’s achievement in the 2009 final is one of the finest ever seen at the US Open. Federer hadn’t lost a match at Flushing Meadows for 6 years and was on the brink of securing the most US Open titles of any man in the Open era. But the Argentinian had other ideas – despite being 2 sets to 1 down, he put on a simply magnificent display of powerful serving and baseline hitting to blow the Swiss maestro away. We’ve put in the video of the crucial moment in the match – when Federer loses his chance to go 2-0 up and put the tournament to bed.

2. John McEnroe v Bjorn Borg, 1980 (McEnroe won 7–6 (7–4), 6–1, 6–7 (5–7), 5–7, 6–4)

Yet another fantastic match between two of the greatest players of all-time. Fresh from their epic Wimbledon final of the same year, McEnroe was determined to exact revenge on his great rival at Flushing Meadows. The American did eventually get his second major but only after another titanic struggle. McEnroe raced into a 2 set lead (winning 6-1 in the 2nd) before Borg produced some typically ice-cool tennis late in the 3rd and 4th sets to level it up. But McEnroe’s superior stamina told in the 5th set as he took it 6-4 to retain his US Open Championship title.

3. Mats Wilander v Ivan Lendl, 1988 (Wilander won 6–4, 4–6, 6–3, 5–7, 6–4)

The stage was set for an epic US Open final as Wilander, in his third Grand Slam final of the year, took on 3-time defending champion Lendl in a repeat of the 1987 final. The Swede prevailed in a match which lasted almost 5 hours, not only securing his 3rd Grand Slam of the season but also ending the Czech’s 3-year reign as world no.1.

4. Arthur Ashe v Tom Okker, 1968 (Ashe won 14–12, 5–7, 6–3, 3–6, 6–3)

The start of the Open era began with Ashe winning his first ever Grand Slam title – and it was still 12 months before he turned professional. The match featured a titanic 1st set struggle, won 14-12 by Ashe, which stood as the longest set in a Grand Slam final in the Open era for 41 years.

5. Andre Agassi v Todd Martin, 1999 (Agassi won 3–6, 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 6–2)

This was one of the highest quality US Open finals of all-time and secured Agassi the world no.1 ranking at the end of the year for the only time in his career. But Martin put up a superb fight – it was only his second Grand Slam final at the age of 29 so he knew it was his last chance to win a major. The underdog held a 2 sets to 1 lead at one point before Agassi recovered to win a nervy 4th set tie-break and then take the final set 6-2.

US Open Women’s Final

1. Hana Mandlikova v Martina Navratilova, 1985 (Mandlikova won 7–6 (7–3), 1–6, 7–6 (7–2))

This might be a controversial choice but the achievement of Mandlikova in the 1985 final was exceptional. Navratilova was nigh-on invincible at the time and was into her third consecutive final at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set. Mandlikova, meanwhile, was looking to become the first player since Tracy Austin to beat Chris Evert and Navratilova in the same tournament after knocking out the #1 seed in the semi-finals. The defending champion was visibly frustrated in the 3rd set tie-break (see video link) and the Czech got her tactics spot on to eventually secure the win. Mandliova was the only player to beat Navratilova in a 5 year spell at the US Open.

2. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario v Steffi Graf, 1994 (Sanchez Vicario won 1–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4)

It’s perhaps a bit unfair to include this in the list, as Graf was struggling with a back injury all tournament and was receiving treatment before every match. However, the German had demolished Sanchez Vicario in the 1994 Australian Open final 6-0, 6-2 and the Spaniard had later ended her 36 match unbeaten run in Hamburg so the pair had a lot of previous heading to Flushing Meadows. The #1 and #2 seeds didn’t disappoint, with Graf taking the first set 6-1 with a phenomenal display of hitting before becoming visibly distressed by her injury. Nevertheless, she still fought hard and took the 2nd set to a tie break, which Sanchez Vicario won 7-3, and then the Spaniard upped her game in the last to take it 6-4 and win her 3rd Grand Slam.

3. Steffi Graf v Monica Seles, 1995 (Graf won 7–6 (7–5), 0–6, 6–3)

This was an emotional match as it was Seles’ first Grand Slam final since the 1993 stabbing that forced her to take 2 years out of the game. And the American nearly made a fairy-tale comeback – she had set point in the first set and then blitzed Graf 6-0 in the second with a style that suggested she was back to her best. However, Graf recovered to win the final set 6-3 - at the time of writing, this match was the last US Open women’s final to go to 3 sets.

4. Steffi Graf v Martina Navratilova, 1989 (Graf won 3–6, 7–5, 6–1)

Graf had won 6 of the previous 7 Grand Slam titles, including wins over Navratilova in the 1988 & 1989 Wimbledon finals, but this was arguably the most interesting final of the lot. The veteran nearly pulled off a shock – she led 6-3, 4-2 at one point – and that forced Graf into playing her very best tennis to turn the match around. It was a fascinating clash of styles and eras.

5. Steffi Graf v Gabriela Sabatini, 1988 (Graf won 6–3, 3–6, 6–1)

I am unapologetic about including so many Steffi Graf US Open finals because, quite simply, they were more exciting. And this 1988 final had to make the shortlist because it wrapped up Graf’s calendar year Grand Slam – the first time it had been achieved since 1970. This was Sabatini’s first ever Grand Slam final so not many gave her a chance but she at least made it competitive by taking the 2nd set en route. However, she couldn’t prevent Graf writing herself into the history books and this match encapsulated her utter dominance of the women’s game in 1988.