Top 5 moments in the world of sports in 2010

Because of the spectacular memories they create, sports are great and they always will be. Bangalore: People cry for the painful losses of the team or the sports person they root so hard for, while some other jump on their seats with the feeling of jubilation at the win of their favourites. The last year also has seen plenty of memorable moments that thrilled each and every sport lover's inner being. There are many to choose from. Here is our take on the top five moments in the world of sports in 2010.

1. Sachin's double ton: Aw, you little Champion!

It was February 24, 2010 when the crowd at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior witnessed history. Sachin Tendulkar, statistically the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, pushed a Charl Langeveldt delivery through the off-side and ran a single to achieve a feat which no other cricketer has ever achieved. Sachin hammered the first double century in the history of one-day cricket against a powerful South African squad and added another feather to his well-adorned cap. As former New Zealand cricketer Danny Morrison said, "If there was ever one deserving to break this milestone, this Everest, it is certainly Sachin Tendulkar."

2. Rafael Nadal, the wonder Spaniard collects all

Rafael Nadal became the toast of the tennis when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the rain-delayed U.S. open final last year and became only the seven

th tennis player in the history of the game who has won all four Grand Slams. Other players who had achieved the feat are Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi and his greatest rival Roger Federer. Nadal lost five service games and one set along the way. He achieved a double break in the fourth set, reaching 5-1 on his 47th winner of the testing evening. Two games later, the winner was on his knees in joy as the reality of his accomplishment began to sink in. Nadal's victory was his 120th in a major and marked his 42 career trophy.

3. Spain lifted the golden statue

With its charismatic captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas who conceded just two goals during the tournament, Spain were the rightful favorites to lift the cup of g

lory with the best players in the world of soccer in their side Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Ramos, and David Villa. And they lived up to the expectations. Having fallen to Switzerland 1-0 in their opener, the Spaniards were down. But they emerged so strong that they went on to win the whole thing and thus, became the first country to win the trophy after being defeated in their first match.

4. Graeme McDowell clinched the U.S. Open

A narrow one shot victory at Pebble Beach in June last year made Graeme McDowell the first European in 40 years to capture America's national Golf champions

hip. The 30-year-old Northern Irishman's lone birdie was an eight-foot putt on the fifth hole, and his final round was the highest score by a U.S. Open champion since Andy North in 1985. Graeme McDowell ends European drought with the U.S. Open win.

5. The longest match in tennis history - Mahut vs. Isner

It took 11 hours and six minutes and was spread over three days. Thus, it holds the record of being the longest competitive tennis mat

ch in history in which American John Isner beat French opponent Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the final set. Never before in the history of Wimbledon, which was first contested in 1877, had any match - singles or doubles, men or women - lasted more than 112 games, a mark set in 1969. But this match between Isner and Mahut lasted 183 games and bested the previous record of the longest tennis match that was played for of 6 hours and 33 minutes. The match lasted so long because none of the players could break serve and thus we had a thrilling show of tennis that would be remembered in the history of the game for an unusual reason.