Novak Djokovic looks to consign two of his most heartbreaking Grand Slam losses to the dustbin of history tomorrow when he tackles old foe Stan Wawrinka for the US Open title. I have to play my best tennis, my best game.
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Now it will remain to be seen whether Wawrinka has another trick left in the bag, or whether Novak Djokovic will justify his favouritism status for the US Open and make it a third title in NY and 13th major title overall.
Two years ago at the Australian Open, he beat Djokovic 9-7 in the fifth set of their quarterfinal match, and then tagged No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal in the final.
If you need any more proof that the World No. 3 is a big game player consider this: Dating back to 2014, Wawrinka has won 10 straight finals on the ATP Tour.
Last year, Djokovic saw his hopes of completing a career Slam crushed in four sets by the Swiss in the Roland Garros final.
Wawrinka also got the better of Djokovic en route to his other grand slam crown, at Melbourne Park in 2014, so the Swiss will not lack confidence on Sunday as he attempts to conquer “the biggest challenge”. However, in the past few years, Wawrinka has won two Grand Slams and become a Davis Cup champion and has won his past 10 finals. But in the last couple of matches he’s been getting in that shape that wins him big matches. It has also had the shock factor, best exemplified by the 2015 French Open final, in which Wawrinka, in a state of grace, stopped Djokovic’s considerable momentum. Of course we cannot say that this task will be easy, because here you need Stanu will fight and try to hold the match with a minimum of downturns in order to avoid problems.
While many who choose to hit the backhand with one one hand on the racket struggle with the higher lopping balls, Wawrinka’s exceptional timing and power means it can be very hard to get the ball out of his comfort zone. He loves to play in the big stage against big players because that’s when he elevates his level of performance in his game.
That gave a clear edge in the fourth set to Djokovic, who wrapped up the victory in two hours and 32 minutes even though he called for the trainer to receive treatment on his shoulder during the contest.
“He’s a very powerful, powerful player”, Djokovic said of Wawrinka.
Of the two (out of six) Grand Slam meetings won by the 31-year-old Swiss, both were significant in the manner that he went on to win the title each time, most notably in last year’s French Open final. He has yet to be pushed to five sets.
He had beaten Andy Murray and Nadal to get to the final but Wawrinka hadn’t read the script, his 60 winners – most fired off the backhand to all corners of Philippe Chatrier Court – hammer blows to the Serb. “I got a little bit of my instinct and flair”.
Djokovic added: “Both of these Grand Slam trophies that he has, he won against me on the way”.
Novak Djokovic as simple as possible for themselves went out in US Open final to admit that his way was not serious opponents in addition to Gael Monfils. Djokovic said Wawrinka has the best one-handed backhand in the business and admires his variety.
“My game plan is to be aggressive”.
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This will be Novak Djokovic’s 21st Grand Slam final, while for Stan Wawrinka this is his third.
