Wawrinka’s latest effort came when he utilized his massive forehand and brilliant one-handed backhand to overpower Djokovic to win his first U.S. Open title, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 before an Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd of 25,051.
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The world number one suffered a 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 7-5 6-3 loss to Swiss third seed Wawrinka in the decider at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
In reaching his first US Open final – after semi-final exits in 2013 and 2015 – Wawrinka had saved a match point in a gritty five-set win over unheralded Dan Evans, held off 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro in four and rallied for a four-set win over 2014 finalist Kei Nishikori.
Stan Wawrinka played 17 hours and 50 minutes of tennis before he faced Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final. They have been there 10 years.
World No.1 Djokovic says the Big Four, which also includes Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, has become the Big Five after Wawrinka made it three from three in Grand Slam finals.
The Pole has now won all three of his grand slam finals, and goes equal with Britain’s Andy Murray with his three titles. Just look the tournament they won, how many years they been there.
“My goal is to give everything I have to be the best I can”, said Wawrinka.
An injury to the right shoulder nearly forced the two-time US Open Champion out of the tournament, while broken toenails forced him to get treatment on the sidelines during the final. “Been around for so many years, and he plays best in the big matches”, Djokovic said after the final, as quoted by US Open’s official website. “It was a demanding match, but you were the better player”. “I said I had a feeling but this time I have even more confidence to beat him”. I had plenty of them, break points.
Stan Wawrinka produced a dazzling display to beat world number one Novak Djokovic and claim a maiden US Open title.
“And that’s what happened, after a few games when I start to believe in myself, I start to be in the match”.
At one point, Djokovic turned to Wawrinka as he as receiving treatment and said, “Sorry man, couldn’t stand”. “I was shaking in the locker [room]”, Wawrinka reported, adding that as he reviewed last-minute details with his coach, Magnus Norman.
“I lost my nerve in the important moments”.
It was the Swiss player’s first NY title, following his breakthrough 2014 Australian Open triumph and 2015 Roland Garros crown. So winning two out of four Grand Slams is pretty good year, and playing another final.
“I saw he was struggling physically”, Wawrinka said.
Wawrinka may be the ultimate big-game player in men’s tennis.
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“Stan was the more courageous player in the decisive moments and he deserved to win this title”.
