Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Sporting moments of the year - Nos 40-31
HAVE YOUR SAY... What is your sporting moment of 2009? Sportsmail looks back on the most memorable moments of the year for the latest edition of The List. What will you remember most? A piece of sublime skill or incredible achievement? A notorious revelation such as those of Tiger Woods or Andre Agassi? Or a poignant episode such as the celebration of Sir Bobby Robson's life? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK It's only when you come to the end of a year that you realise just howmany sporting treats we have enjoyed over the past 12 months.[LNB]From the glory of Ireland's Grand Slam in the early days of spring,to the summer's dramatic Ashes series and wonderful athletics WorldChampionships.[LNB]The glorious triumphs of Jenson Button, David Haye and Beth Tweddle in the autumn - the action and drama has been relentless. [LNB]And it is not just the sublime that has defined 2009. Sport has hadit's infamous revelations - such as with Tiger Woods and Andre Agassi -while we have also said goodbye to legends such as Sir Bobby Robson.[LNB]We've been sitting ourselves in a darkened room to come up with what we consider to be our top 50 moments of 2009.[LNB]And as ever, we know that you will want to have your say. [LNB]Enjoy the week, and we'll reveal the winner on Christmas Day.[LNB] Read 50-4140 Kim Clijsters comes back to win US OpenThe Belgian cited persistent injuries as her reason for retiring from tennis in May 2007 - that she returned to the sport was unexpected but to mark it with victory at the US Open in September was incredible. [LNB]The former world No 1 returned as a wildcard entry and the 2005 champion defeated Venus and Serena Williams on the way to recording her second tournament title at Flushing Meadows.[LNB] Like she had never been away: Clijsters was Queen of New York a second time[LNB]39 A total of 43 world records fall at the world swimming championships in RomeControversy surrounded the summer event as the records tumbled, many pointed to the use of new technology or, in particular, the use of polyurethane suits which gave competitors extra buoyancy and stability that led to critics dubbing the event the 'Plastic Games.'[LNB]On home soil, Federica Pellegrini broke the world record in the 400m freestyle with a time of 3:59.15, winning the gold medal and becoming the first female swimmer to break the four-minute barrier in the event.[LNB] Water performance: Pellegrini was outstanding in front of her own fans[LNB]38Tom Daley is crowned world championThe young diver didn't need the help of a new swimsuit to win his gold medal in the Italian capital as he lived up to the hype that surrounded him since the Beijing Olympics.[LNB]Holding off strong opposition in the 10m platform competition, the 15-year-old came from third place to score 100.30 with his final effort and snatch gold as his rivals faltered.[LNB] Best of British: Young diver Daley and gymnast Tweddle enjoyed 2009[LNB]37 Beth Tweddle is a golden girlBritain's favourite and most recognisable gymnast of her generation looked to have blown her chance of a world medal on home soil when she failed to reach the final after falling from the asymmetrical bars. [LNB]However, she recovered to clinch an historic gold with a perfect floor routine in front of an adoring crowd at the O2 Arena in October.[LNB]36 Andy Murray v Stanislas Wawrinka under the Wimbledon roofUnder the closed roof and floodlights of the new and improved Wimbledon Centre Court, Murray played out an epic match against Switzerland's Wawrinka to reach the quarter-finals of the famous tournament.[LNB]The match lasted just under four hours and as the bleary-eyed crowd dispersed into the warm June night just before 11pm, they knew they'd witnessed a piece of history.[LNB]Murray lost the first game to Wawrinka on his service but eventually shrugged off the pressure of being a Brit still playing meaningful tennis moving into the second week at SW19 to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.[LNB] Enlarge Raise the roof: Murray serving to Wawrinka as Wimbledon moved with the times[LNB]35Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 6 A Lionel Messi-inspired destruction of Spanish rivals Real Madrid sent a message to the football world as the Catalans eased towards an unprecedented treble of trophies last season. [LNB]Former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos could only watch in horror as his Madrid side were pulled apart in early May - doubles from Messi and Thierry Henry plus goals from Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique won the game at the home of their great rivals.[LNB]It also gave them momentum going into the Champions League semi-final second-leg clash with Chelsea (more on that later).[LNB] Joy of six: Barcelona players celebrate thumping their fiercest rivals[LNB]34 Phillips Idowu jumps to it in BerlinWith the striking dyed red hair, the bolt through his eyebrow and a champions swagger, Hackney-born triple-jumper Idowu (right) was born to be a winner.[LNB] And he hopped, skipped and jumped his way to gold at the World Championships in August with a distance of 17.73m.[LNB]33 Another fine Messi as Manchester United are outclassedBarcelona's second entry on our List.[LNB]United were outplayed for most of this Champions League final as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Henry and Samuel Eto'o gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side a lesson in possession and passing. [LNB]But it was Argentina star Messi's game - crowned by an athletic looping header past Edwin van der Sar that sealed a 2-0 win and a magical May night for Barca. [LNB] Enlarge Hitting the heights: Messi climbed to put the match out of United's reach[LNB]32 John Higgins rules the world for a third timeHiggins joined the greatest names in snooker after his 18-9 victory over Shaun Murphy in May. [LNB]The Scot became a member of an elite group of players, including the likes of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, to have won three or more world titles with his triumph at The Crucible. [LNB]The Wizard of Wishaw motored away in the second session of the final, winning seven of the eight frames on offer to add to his triumphs in 1998 and 2007.[LNB]31 Andrey Arshavin scoring four in 4-4 draw at LiverpoolThe will-he-wont-he transfer saga in January was finally solved right at the last possible moment after Arshavin completed his move from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal - and how glad manager Arsene Wenger must have been after the diminutive Russian's awesome display at Anfield in April. [LNB]After the game, Arshavin said: 'It was a great game for the fans but not for the team. It was like basketball out there.' [LNB]At 5ft 8ins, we're sure he would be not much use playing for the New York Nicks, but on this April night he proved he's more then big enough for the Premier League.[LNB] Scot can pot: Higgins[LNB]Four-midable: Arshavin[LNB] [LNB]The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail's top 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail's top 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 Merseyside derby heroesSportsmail's top 50 players from Tottenham or ArsenalSportsmail's top 50 football kits of all time Sportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's worst 50 strikers in the Premier LeagueSportsmail's top 50 stars who failed to play fairSportsmail's top 50 midfield maestrosSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 free-kick kingsSportsmail's top 50 England heroesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's top 50 signings of the season Sportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroesSportsmail's top 50 partnerships
