Top Five Tennis Moments from 2011

Tennis isn't over for 2011, there are still tournaments going on for the men and the women. After those are all wrapped up come the year-end championships. For the men, it's the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, taking place in London November 20-27.

The women finish with the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships, happening in Istanbul October 25-30. Once they both finish, things really slow down until the prep events get underway for the Australian Open. Even with more tennis to play, enough has happened in 2011 to provide a list of the top five tennis moments from 2011.

Li Na won French Open, makes history for China and Asia

After finishing as runner-up in the Australian Open, Li Na broke through to take the first Grand Slam title ever for a player, man or woman, from China. Her straight set victory over defending champion Francesca Schiavone was replayed on national television in China and seen by millions.

The only woman to appear in two Grand Slam finals all year, Li Na has taken a slide in the latter part of the season. She was shown a first-round exit at the U.S. Open by Romanian Simona Halep, then sent out of the China Open in Beijing by Monica Niculescu. She's earned enough points to play in the WTA Championships in Istanbul, and will surely be looking to find her winning form.

Federer chased Djokovic out of Roland Garros

The French Open was supposed to belong to Novak Djokovic. He was having an incredible year, and had beaten defending champion Rafael Nadal in every meeting of the year leading up to Roland Garros. The much-hyped meeting didn't occur, thanks to some incredible play from Roger Federer. The Swiss legend ended Djokvic's 43 match win streak, then went on to lose to Nadal in the final.

Djokovic took Wimbledon, moved to No. 1

Several things happened for Djokovic at the All England Club. When he won his semifinal match he was guaranteed to move up to World No. 1, no matter what the outcome of the final. Of course he went on to win the big trophy as well, dominating Nadal in three sets of the four set match. His year back on it's incredible track after being detoured at Roland Garros, Djokovic went on to win the U.S. Open as well.

Samantha Stosur dismantled Serena Williams at the U.S. Open

Serena wasn't seeded in the top ten at Flushing Meadows, but tore through the field like she was the favorite, which she quickly became. Few expected the Australian to dominate Serena in the final, but that's what happened. Stosur quickly put away Serena in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Unfortunately the win for Stosur was somewhat overshadowed by the on-court rantings of Serena that were directed at a lineswoman.

Rain at the U.S. Open

It wasn't a single event, more like a multi-day deluge that threw the schedule out the window and made for a men's final delayed a day for the fourth year in a row. Hurricane Irene threatened the start, but the skies cleared for the start of the tournament.

It was the second week that got dumped on. Tuesday got rained out. Then Wednesday, with more moisture on Thursday. The rain even caused a mini-revolt, when Nadal, Andy Murray, and Andy Roddick combined forces to protest the way the play was being handled with regard to the rain. New York will host the only major without at least one roofed stadium when work is completed at Roland Garros. If late summer weather continues to be wet in future years, expect more calls for that to change.

Jeff Musall is a lifelong fan and player of tennis. He began following the professional game as a kid back in the '70s, watching the greats of that era.