Stan Wawrinka’s stunning defeat of top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final on Sunday booked the Swiss his place at the ATP World Tour Finals in London at the end of the year. “I’d like to congratulate you on everything you have done”, Wawrinka said during the presentation ceremony.
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“I never had a goal to win a Grand Slam but I am trying as best I can”. But I’m trying the best I can with my career.
Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, had been seeking a third Slam of the year and 13th major of his career. He succeeded in converting both of his break point opportunities while managing to deflect five of Djokovic’s six break point tries.
Stan Wawrinka has beaten world number one, Novak Djokovic, to win the US Open title. “Because of you I am where I am today”, he said.
At a tournament where trainers had almost as much court time as tired players, Germany’s Angelique Kerber and Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka were the last two standing in their respective draws as they each captured their first US Open titles. It’s always a tough match when we play each other. Meanwhile, the final started with the Star Spangled Banner, a poignant performance on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
An emotional Wawrinka said after the match that he put everything into the tournament. “What do you want me to do?”
Despite losing out on a chance at winning his third United States open title, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction on winning four Grand Slams. He finished the set with 20 of 29 (69%) first serve points as well as 12 of 17 (44%) second serve wins.
The opening three sets were fairly even affairs decided by the finest of margins but Djokovic began to struggle physically in the fourth.
The Serb was made to pay for his wastefulness as the Swiss suddenly found his range, breaking back in the ninth game off a Djokovic double fault. Wawrinka complained about the 6-minute break, and Djokovic looked over and apologized. He ended up winning in five sets. Frustrated, Djokovic demolished his racquet, collecting a code violation from umpire Ali Nili.
As Wawrinka placed one stinging shot after another right on a line, Djokovic looked up at coach Boris Becker and the rest of his entourage while gesticulating with his hands and muttering.
Djokovic started limping later and received more toe treatment at the changeover before he served down 5-2 in the fourth.
Djokovic apologised to his opponent as he sat courtside, claiming he couldn’t stand as a effect.
That’s entirely different, as he hasn’t had to endure the mental and physical strain of being at the top for so long as Nadal and Djokovic have.
The 31-year-old overcame Djokovic in four sets after initially losing the first, seeing the match out 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 early on Monday morning.
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The Swiss Wawrinka’s statement on court followed that of American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who won the women’s doubles title with Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, and appeared to choke up during her victory speech, telling the crowd: “It’s a special day today here for everybody in NY”.
