FOREHAND PASSING SHOTS - TENNIS 24/7: Australian Open 2013

Stan Wawrinka may well appear on the list!

Australian Open 2013 - My Top 5 Matches

A week on and here is my final piece on the year's first major counting down my five favourite matches from the two weeks at Melbourne Park.

For drama purposes I should put Serena Williams' shock loss to Sloane Stephens in there but for me it was just so strange a match and as a Serena fan it was not an enjoyable watch for me.

So onto the countdown:

No.5 - Women's Singles 3rd round: Victoria Azarenka (1) bt Jamie Hampton 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

I hadn't expected much from this match and thought it was going to be all one way traffic when Azarenka raced ahead 5-1 in the first set. But from there Hampton's form was excellent with many truly glorious forehands and much wonderful serving.

If it had not been for a recurrence of a back injury the American may have taken out the eventual champion.

No.4 - Men's Singles Quarter Final: Roger Federer (2) bt Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (7) 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3

The last time these two went to five sets it was Tsonga who came through at Wimbledon 2011. This time the legendary Swiss pulled through an exciting contest despite some very inconsistent play. But that should take away from set great attacking play from the Frenchman.

No.3 Men's Singles Semi-final: Andy Murray (3) bt Roger Federer (2) 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2

This was a gripping match as Murray played the better ball from the first point but Federer fought so hard to stay with him and stole two thrilling sets. While it didn't have a stirring decider it was still a memorable clash.

No.2 Women's Singles 2nd round: Heather Watson bt Ksenia Pervak 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-2

Heather embracing her barmy army after her comeback win

Any match sharing a scoreline with the 2002 Capriati vs Hingis finals is going to be a cracking encounter.

This fight out on Court 8 was my favourite women's match as Heather displayed why she is going to have a super career by simply refusing to lose.

She did not play close to her best for a lot of the three hour plus match but she showed the most magnificent fighting spirit to fend off three consecutive match points in the breaker and then raise her game in the decider for the grittiest of comeback wins.

No.1 Men's Singles 4th round: Novak Djokovic (1) bt Stanislas Wawrinka (15) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(5), 12-10

The easiest No.1 pick ever. The match of the tournament could well be the match of the year and one of my favourite ever matches not featuring one of most beloved players.

Amazing tennis, brilliant drama, twists and turns and a stunning final rally and final winning shot. It could not have been written any better.

The Wawrinka backhand was simply out of this world for the whole match - reminiscent of Gasquet's 2007 Wimbledon quarter final over Roddick - and produced one jaw dropping winner after an another.

That he didn't collapse when Djokovic reeled off five games to level the match was hugely impressive. That Wawrinka then maintained his incredible level to stay with the World No.1 for so long was nothing short of sensational.

It was electrifying, it was tennis at its best. No other match in Australia came close.