Stan Wawrinka considers himself to be a cut below the “Big Four” in tennis.
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The third seed defeated the world no.1, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3, to take his third major title after the French and Australian Opens.
And he did it Sunday by coming back against Djokovic, whose French Open title in June completed a career Grand Slam and made him only the third man – and first in almost a half-century – to win four consecutive major tournaments. ‘Winning two out of four Grand Slams is pretty good year and playing another final.
Stan Wawrinka 3-1 to claim the title.
Defending champion Djokovic had completed just three matches in six rounds at the US Open after a freakish run blighted by injury withdrawals, but paid the price for his lack of court time when Wawrinka dragged him into a gruelling duel.
“I love it”, said Wawrinka of his past two weeks in Flushing Meadows.
“To have this result here has been incredible”, Mattek-Sands told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd during the trophy ceremony, her eyes welling with tears and her voice choking on her words. Earlier, Ken Rosewall held that record when he won the tournament in 1970. “He was tougher mentally”, said Djokovic, offering two of the highest compliments a tennis player can receive from the talented Serb.
“A few weeks before US Open, I was thinking should I come or not because I struggled physically”, Djokovic said.
Against Djokovic, he trails 5-19; with Murray he is 7-9 down, Federer leads their clashes 18-3 while Nadal is 15-3.
“Sorry, Stan”, Djokovic said afterward.
After the final, Djokovic said Wawrinka’s ability to produce his best tennis when it mattered most proved the difference.
The tournament was also be available via Eurosport Player, which will provided comprehensive coverage of the US Open with LIVE feeds from all the match courts, allowing viewers to select their own matches – all available on multiple devices for a monthly subscription fee.
Wawrinka won the third set 7-5, after trading breaks with his rival.
Wawrinka ended the day with 46 winners to 51 unforced and in the final set his winner-error ratio was 12-to-4. Wawrinka swept the ninth game and on the next game even the match one set apiece when Djokovic hit a forehand wide right, later slamming his racket against his chair in disgust.
A trainer gives Novak Djokovic medical treatment on a toe during a controversial moment of the US Open men’s singles final.
“You are a great champion and a great person”. This is something I have never had before.
He also missed a chance to clinch his third Grand Slam championship of the year after capturing titles at the French and Australian Opens. Djokovic who came into the clash as the reigning champion at Flushing Meadows, was hoping to register his third NY title and 13 career major but eventually suffered his ninth loss in what was his 21 appearance in a Grand Slam final. “You were more courageous player in the decisive moment and he deserves his title”, Djokovic tells Wawrinka after his defeat. “A few points decide a victor on this level, but again it was a fantastic couple of weeks for me”.
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Wawrinka’s win continues his excellent run in tournament finals.
