Best sporting images of 2010 - Part 1

The first in a series of a three-part slideshow that showcase the best sporting images of 2010.

India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar celebrates after scoring his 50th Test century on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion, on December 19, 2010.

Tendulkar became the first batsman in cricket history to complete 50 centuries in Tests. However, his unbeaten 111 was not enough to save India from defeat in the first match of the three-Test series.

India went on to lose by an innings and 25 runs.

Asked about the secret behind his stupendous form, he said, "It's a state of mind. For the last two years, I have been doing well. I have been really enjoying my batting. I believe doing well is a habit and a good habit. So if you have this good habit, you shouldn't let it go."

Photograph: Mike Hutchings/Reuters

Katarina Gerboldt and Alexander Eenbert of Russia perform during a gala exhibition at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of Russia in Moscow, on November 21, 2010.

Photograph: Grigory Dukor/Reuters

China's Lu Yong reacts after a missed attempt during the men's 85kg weightlifting event at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, on November 17, 2010.

China dominated as they won 199 gold medals to win the most medals at the Asian Games for the eighth consecutive time.

Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

England's Kevin Pietersen celebrates after scoring a double century during the third day of the second Ashes Test against Australia in Adelaide, on December 5, 2010.

Pietersen slammed 227 to set up England's crushing victory by an innings and 71 runs, but they were outplayed in the next match as Australia levelled the series at 1-1.

Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany kisses the trophy after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, on November 14, 2010.

Vettel became Formula One's youngest world champion by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Vettel, added the drivers' crown to the constructors' championship won the previous weekend in Brazil, ended up with 256 points to Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso's 252.

Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur's Robbie Keane stretches for the ball during their English Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, on October 30, 2010.

Manchester United, who have not lost at home to Tottenham for 21 years, sunk their London rivals again as a Nemanja Vidic header and a bizarre late goal by Nani secured a 2-0 victory.

Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Alissa Czisny of the US performs during the women's free program at the Skate Canada International figure skating competition in Kingston, on October 30, 2010.

Photograph: Mike Cassese/Reuters

Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta (left) fouls Wolverhampton Wanderers' Kevin Foley during their English Premier League match at Molineux in Wolverhampton, on October 30, 2010.

Big-spending Manchester City suffered a second successive loss in the league after they were beaten 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

WBC boxing champion Vitali Klitschko (right) of Ukraine lands a punch on Shannon Briggs of the US during their WBC heavyweight championship boxing bout in Hamburg, on October 16, 2010.

Klitschko won the fight by points after twelve rounds.

Photograph: Christian Charisius/Reuters

Philadelphia Phillies' Ben Francisco reacts after being hit on the head with a pitch by Cincinnati Reds Logan Ondrusek during the sixth inning in Game 2 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 8, 2010.

Photograph: Tim Shaffer/Reuters