Starting on December 7—the 25th day left in 2010—TENNIS.com will countdown from the year-end No. 25 on both tours with "The Last Word," a look back at the year that was and a look ahead at the season to come. Here's who we've looked at so far.
Best of 2010
Stosur wasted a golden opportunity in the French Open final, but her play leading up to it was superb. She ousted four-time Roland Garros champion Justine Henin and followed that with a 6-2, 6-7 (2), 8-6 win over Serena Williams. Then she clobbered fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic in the semis, 6-1, 6-2.
Worst of 2010
After her strong play throughout the clay season and a convincing run at Roland Garros, no one expected Stosur to fold in straight sets in the French Open final. But that's precisely what happened against plucky veteran Francesca Schiavone. Take nothing away from the Italian's performance, but this wasn't Stosur's best day, and she knew it.
Year in Review
The Aussie attained her No. 6 ranking with more than just her play on clay, even if it was the focal point of her season. There were signs of her ascent in the spring, when she reached the semis of Indian Wells and the quarters of Miami. She kept it up in the later months, testing Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open quarters (6-4, 5-7, 6-3) and again in the Doha semis (7-6 (3), 6-1). Charleston turned out to be Stosur's only title, but her season was an unqualified success, even with the slip-up against Schiavone.
See for Yourself
When Serena played in 2010, she was a force. Here, Stosur hands the world No. 1 one of her few defeats in the French Open quarters:
The Last Word
We deemed Stosur the year's most improved player, and she thinks there's room for growth—all the way to No. 1. A tall ask, of course. But besides her huge forehand and serve, there's Stosur's belief—and isn't that half the battle, in the mostly mentally-fragile WTA?
—Ed McGrogan