Third-seeded Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland overwhelmed World No 1 Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 at the Flushing Meadows here to clinch his first US Open tennis title and his third Grand Slam title.
Advertisement
Despite losing out on a chance at winning his third United States open title, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction on winning four Grand Slams. On Sunday, it was a carbon copy performance except that this time, Djokovic had the experience of winning in NY twice before; in Paris last summer, the Serb was still looking for his first Roland Garros title.
Early in what would become a tight test of a U.S. Open final, Angelique Kerber sprinted forward to somehow reach a drop shot and scoop a down-the-line victor that landed in a corner of the court.
” Stan, sorry I can’t stand ” Djokovic apologized across during the break time.
The Swiss was more decisive in the key moments, taking six of the 10 break opportunities he fashioned while the usually clinical Djokovic only managed to convert three of the 17 on offer on the Wawrinka serve.
Wawrinka’s defeated Djokovic in last year’s French Open final, also losing the first set before winning three straight.
Despite falling short of his 13th grand slam title, Djokovic, who struggled with foot issues during the match, admitted that he was outplayed by Wawrinka on Sunday. His newly earned U.S. Open trophy was sitting on the table beside him.
Stan Wawrinka has revealed he was crying with nerves only five minutes before he demolished Novak Djokovic to win the US Open.
The third set was a pulsating battle with both players exchanging breaks early on.
Wawrinka cashed in on six of 10 break point opportunities, and frustrated Djokovic by saving 14 of 17 break points against him to become the oldest U.S. Open victor since Australian Ken Rosewall (35) in 1970.
“I had to put my [expletive] together”, he said, laughing, reporters snickering along with him.
“I really didn’t know whether or not I’m going to come, to be honest”, he said. Just look the tournament they won, how many years they been there. I am me. I have been achieving something that I never expect the last three years, I have been winning three grand slams and it’s more than fantastic.
“The Big Four, I’m really far from them”. Obviously I wish that I could win another title, but this is what it is.
Before this matchup, Djokovic praised Wawrinka as “a big-match player”, and, boy, is he ever.
“I guess sometimes it happens, even though you have the experience and know what to do”. He was won 11 in a row since, January 2014.
The 31-year-old Wawrinka is the oldest US Open men’s champion since Ken Rosewall won in 1970 at 35 years of age.
Advertisement
‘I played a lot of tennis, I am completely empty. I was trying to be tough with myself, trying not to show anything, not to show any pain, not to show any cramps, not to show anything.
