The year-long debate about the 'real' number one on the WTA Tour proved a little tiresome but also helped highlighted lack of quality at the top of the women's game.

That's not to say that the tour did not throw up some fascinating stories in 2009, more that those tales did not involve the players supposedly leading the way.

The year began wih Jelena Dokic's re-emergence at the Australian Open where few could ever have predicted she would reach the quarter-finals.

But that she did, with Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena witnessing a night of high drama when she took on Alisa Kleybanova in the fourth round.

Dokic had already caused a stir at the tournament so not surprisingly there was not a seat in the house when she returned in a bid to claim a last-eight spot.

Creating an electric atmosphere, the home fans surely played their part in helping Dokic to her 7-5 5-7 8-6 victory, the former teenage prodigy having looked on the brink of retirement at one stage due to an ankle injury.

As well as the match itself, Dokic's tearful post-match interview will live long in the memory.

There was no doubting the terrific nature of the Dokic story which unfolded back in January, but when the US Open arrived it was certainly eclipsed - arguably twice.

Melanie Oudin's name became a household one across the United States with her heroics, with her best moment coming against Maria Sharapova.

She'd already beaten Elena Dementieva in the previous round - a better result on paper - but it was a strange day for the fourth seed who had looked in command early on.

If Dementieva had aided Oudin, there's no doubt Sharapova did the same two days later - but it created a match of great drama.

Few could believe some of the errors Sharapova produced - they included a whopping 21 double faults - but the New York fans didn't care.

Again an amazing atmosphere resulted, with Oudin digging deep to claim a remarkable 3-6 6-4 7-5 win. The former champion had been dispatched by a 17-year-old.

However, days later Oudin was out and largely forgotten - at least by the rest of the world.

That was due to the remarkable feats of comeback queen Kim Clijsters, who went on to become the champion at Flushing Meadows in what was just her third tournament since coming out of retirement.

The belief for her trophy triumph was really generated by her match with Venus Williams in the last 16.

It had the added element of being a real see-saw affair, as reflected by the 6-0 0-6 6-4 scoreline.

Two love sets often suggest a lack of quality, but that was not the case here.

Clijsters started like a train and with her awesome off-forehand firing to perfection, the first set saw her play her best tennis of the tournament.

Never one to go down without a fight, Venus stormed back in the second with some superb shots of her own and in the decider both players finally managed to hit the heights at the same time.

There was certainly tension in that final set but Clijsters showed that her mental game - often a failing in what she describes as her 'first career' - was also in fine working order.

Having edged a break ahead, she fended off everything Venus threw at her to claim a thrilling victory.

That was certainly a contender for our match of the year award, just like the French Open quarter-final between Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The pair produced some cracking claycourt tennis before Kuznetsova edged home 7-5 in the third, having shown great mental resolve - she'd served for a straight-sets win and had also blown two match points when leading 5-4 in the decider.

Another match of note was the dramatic contest between Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships.

It had everything - a big lead blown, match points missed, injuries to both players.

Wozniacki seemed set to wrap things up in little more than an hour when she led 6-0 5-2 but match points were missed in that second set as Zvonareva hit back to level.

But still the weary Wozniacki, who had come into the tournament nursing a hamstring tweak, somehow got over the line, despite cramping badly and collapsing to the court in the final stages of her 6-0 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 victory.

It may have just been a group match, but you suspect the way she fought will do Wozniacki the world of good in the long run, not just in her own mind but those of the fans too.

The Wimbledon fourth-round clash between Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo is also worth a mention.

It will be remembered in years to come as the first competitive match ever to be played under the new Centre Court roof but what the history books won't say is that it was a cracker with Mauresmo playing some fine grasscourt tennis in pushing the world number one all the way.

Not only Mauresmo's fans would have been glad to witness what may well turn out to be the former champion's last match on such a stage.

However, it is another Wimbledon match which claims our top award for 2009, namely the semi-final meeting between Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva.

The match of the year usually requires the combatants to be playing at the top of their game and that was certainly the case here.

Indeed many feel this is the best match Dementieva has ever played - yet Serena's will to win, and not inconsiderable talent, just about saw her through 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 8-6.

A set down, the American looked on the ropes in the latter stages of the second set but found a way to survive and notably broke her opponent with a challenge to Hawk-eye.

A final set the crowd so badly wanted was forthcoming but many feared Dementieva's chance was gone - the Russian's mental side had never been her strongest element and surely she'd fold now.

Far from it. Her superb groundstrokes continued to trouble Serena and she actually forged 3-1 ahead.

Williams retrieved the break but still found herself match point down soon after only to come up with a volley which brushed the net on its way over.

Dementieva could not believe it. Serena produced her trademark roar, her face contorted in delight.

Minutes later the longest semi-final in Wimbledon history - two hours and 49 minutes of pure gold - was over.

When she lifted the trophy two days later, Serena could look back and know no-one - not even her sister - had been able to push her to the extent Dementieva did.

It was some match.

Do you agree with Andy's selections? And which were your favourite women's matches of 2009? Let us know by emailing tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com and we will publish a selection of the comments.