After a roller coaster experience on the tour throughout the summer, Stan Wawrinka has once again placed himself in a position to ruin Novak Djokovic’s grand slam dreams.
The Swiss player has set himself up with a final clash against the world No.1 after defeating Kei Nishikori in four sets in the semifinals. Sunday’s final in New York will be Wawrinka’s 25th match against the Serbian, who defeated a lacklustre Gael Monfils in his previous match. Historically Wawrinka does have a poor record against the dominant top seed, but it has done little to wet his appetite for their latest clash.
“To play Novak, the No. 1 player, it’s always really challenging.” The 31-year-old said.
“But we had some many big memories together, especially in Grand Slams, so it’s going to be an exciting match.”
Wawrinka has only managed to defeat his mighty rival twice since 2007 and currently trails 4-20 in their head-to-head. It is a tough matchup for him against a player with such an outstanding calibre of tennis. On the other hand, the world No.3 knows better than anybody about how to stun his opponent on the main stage of tennis. At the 2014 Australian Open, Wawrinka triumphed in a five-set epic, clinching the deciding set 9-7. Then a year later he came back from a set down to win the French Open crown.
“He knows that I can play my best tennis in the final of Grand Slam.” Wawrinka said about Djokovic.
“But it’s going to be a completely different match.” He later added.
Regardless of Djokovic’s recent woes where he has suffered wrist problems and a disappointing Olympic Games, the defending champion will still be the standout favourite. His route into the final might not have been the most convincing with a trio of his opponents retiring, however, he has also displayed characteristics of a true champion by always finding a way to come through. Despite this, even the man himself knows that he will need to up his game in order to win grand slam title No.13.
“He’s (Wawrinka) a big match player. He loves to play in the big stage against the big players, because that’s when I think he elevates his level of performance in his game.” Djokovic said.
“The last couple of matches he’s getting in that shape that is winning him big matches.”
Reaching his first major final since Roland Garros last year, a confident Wawrinka is keeping level-headed about his title chances. The belief is certainly there for the Swiss player, however, he is fully aware that even his best might not be enough in New York.
“When you play Novak, even if you’re playing your best tennis, you can also lose. So it’s going to be, I hope, a big match, and hopefully I can keep winning.” The third seed concluded.
The final between Wawrinka and Djokovic will take play on the Arthur Ashe stadium at 4pm local time.
