Editor's note: For two weeks, starting Dec. 8, ESPN.com is unveiling its 2014 tennis awards once per day.

Dec. 8: Men's player of year | Dec. 9: Women's player of year | Dec. 10: Top men's matches | Dec. 11: Top women's matches | Dec. 12: Top shot-makers | Dec. 15: Top shots

Every tennis season brings with it a hefty helping of great points. They can happen at any time in any match -- a combination of stellar shot-making in a sustained exchange. Although Big Four dominance declined on the men's tour, their ability to produce stunning shots -- and inspire them from opponents -- seems as good as ever. And even if the counterpunchers on the women's tour didn't lift the big trophies, they showed some big swings of their own. Here are a few examples sampling this year's smorgasbord of memorable exchanges.

1. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic, Dubai SF

This was the Big Four rivalry of this season, and it produced some of its best points. The consistent quality of this exchange is exceptional, punctuated by a skillful Federer lob followed into net to put away the point.

2. Grigor Dimitrov vs. Andy Murray, Acapulco SF (click for clip)

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The pyrotechnics in this one are something to see. A 27-shot rally, highlighted by some typically electric shots from Dimitrov that had the crowd roaring as he captured the point.

3. Andy Murray vs. Rafael Nadal, Rome QF

Murray shows that it takes something special to get the ball by Rafael Nadal on clay.

4. Angelique Kerber vs. Jelena Jankovic, Doha R

Two of the best point-extenders on tour do what they do, as the Serb yanks (Janks) her opponent across the court before the German finds a winner to curb (Kerb) the onslaught.

5. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic, Monte Carlo SF

They're at it once more, an entertaining exchange that makes it hard to tell Djokovic has a bad wrist.

6. Stan Wawrinka vs. Novak Djokovic, Australian Open QF

Like their other recent Grand Slam encounters, Djokovic and Wawrinka saved some of their best tennis for the biggest moments, such as this break point with a thunderous exchange decided by the type of Wawrinka winner seen so often during the tournament.

7. Caroline Wozniacki vs. Maria Sharapova, US Open fourth round

The marathon woman ran down everything Sharapova threw at her, and then struck a blow of her own in the turning point of a long and demanding match.

8. Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan vs. Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic, Madrid final

AP Photo/Mike Groll

Put two good teams on the court, and doubles contests routinely throw up sparkling exchanges. This is just such an example between two seasoned pairs.

9. Eugenie Bouchard vs. Alisa Kleybanova, Estoril 2R

A pretty good rally, but it puts itself on the highlight reel when Bouchard stumbles and falls but keeps on playing, giving added meaning to hitting off the ground.

10. David Ferrer vs. Rafael Nadal, French Open QF (third point)

These two titans of the clay courts show why this is their terre-ritory, with Nadal hitting his signature forehand but Ferrer still finding a winner.