Stan Wawrinka has become the oldest man to win the US Open since 1970 after battling past Novak Djokovic 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, in an epic encounter at the Arthur Ashe stadium in New York.
The final marked the 11th consecutive year that Wawrinka has played the world No.1 on the ATP Tour. In the past both have endured marathon clashes, but never before had the Swiss been in a position where he was facing a injured Djokovic.
It was a dream start to the match for Djokovic as he moved around the court well and dictated points with his aggressive play against his nervy opponent. Racing to a 3-0 lead, it appeared as if the world No.1 would walk away with the first set. This wasn’t to be as Wawrinka responded with the help of his sublime backhand shots. Recovering from a 2-5 deficit, the world No.3 won 12 out of 15 points to gradually level 5-5 as a tiebreaker approached.
Seriously! This is getting ridiculous – some of the best tennis you will see… #USOpen https://t.co/0izeustL4u
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 11 September 2016
In their 24th meeting of the tour, tiebreakers are a thing of beauty for Djokovic and one of disappointment for Wawrinka. Eight out of their previous nine tiebreakers have been won by the Serbian and he continued to maintain his strong record. Wawrinka’s late surge in the opening set began to dismantle as he struggled to get his first serve in. Once again Djokovic was the one dictating play on the Arthur Ashe stadium by forcing his opponent to produce a series of mishits to charge to a 6-1 lead. The set was then sealed thanks to another costly error from the Swiss.
Djokovic’s record in winning grand slam matches after triumphing in the opening set is one of the best on the men’s tour. In 197 matches played, the world No.1 has only lost four times after winning the first set. On the other hand, two of those losses were at the hands of Wawrinka.
As history began to repeat itself, a somewhat temperamental Djokovic service game enabled Wawrinka to open up a lead to 4-1, saving a trio of break points on his way. Emulating the opening set, another mighty comeback occurred to level the proceedings. It still wasn’t enough to deny Wawrinka the second set as he hit a spectacular forehand down the line before being gifted the set thanks to a forehand error from his on court nemesis.
The breakthrough briefly transformed the Swiss third seed into a superpower on the court as he produced winner after winner against a frustrated Djokovic, who had recently endured a month of injury woes. A sublime backhand cross-court winner secured the 3-0 lead for Wawrinka in the third set.
Stan Wawrinka is beginning to take control in New York #USOpen https://t.co/bUS3wJ1Sn1
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) 11 September 2016
Wawrinka’s surge still failed to tame his opponent, who kept fighting back in what seemed more like an epic boxing match than a tennis match. Landing heavy blows against each other in front of the highly animated crowd, the third seed saved five out of six break points in the third set. The valiant efforts invested by Wawrinka paid off after two epic rallies concluded with Djokovic errors, moving him to just six games away from his maiden US Open trophy.
With momentum firmly behind the 31-year-old, the mood of the Djokovic camp rapidly deteriorated as the world No.1 struggled with his movement after three hours on the court due to a foot problem. It was unclear as how severe it was, but it was evident that the body of best player in the world had succumbed to the titanic performance of Wawrinka. It was a cruel twist of events for Djokovic after his route to the final consisted of three of his opponents retiring.
As the world No.3 moved closer to the title controversy erupted following a Djokovic injury time out for treatment on his left foot. Wawrinka was visibly aggravated with the disruption to the match as he argued with the tournament referee, however, there was a slight relief in the confrontation when the Serbian displayed great sportsmanship by issuing an apology.
Djokovic to Wawrinka, with a wave of the hand: “Stan, sorry man. I couldn’t stand it.” #USOpen Wawrinka acknowledges in kind.
— Ed McGrogan (@EdMcGrogan) 11 September 2016
Regardless of the delay, it failed to change the inevitable outcome of the match as Wawrinka fended off a trio of break points before producing a winning forehand down the line to secure the double break. Closing in on the title, Wawrinka triumphed on his second championship point after a shot from his ailing opponent drifted out.
Three minutes shy of the four-hour mark, the 31-year-old past the mental and physical battle with the help of nine aces and 46 winners. Perhaps the biggest triumph of Wawrinka’s final performance was his defence, saving 14 out of 17 break points against the world No.1.
“This is amazing.” The new champion said during his trophy ceremony. “I came here (to New York) without expecting to win it, but every time I stepped on the court I was trying to win every match.”
“I think I have played quite a lot of tennis these two weeks.” Wawrinka later joked. “I am completely empty.”
On the verge of tears, a delighted Wawrinka also paid tribute to his opponent Djokovic.
“You are a great champion, a great person.” He said. “Because of you I am the way I am today. So I would like to congratulate you for all that you have done.”
Becoming the oldest man to win the title since Ken Rosewall, Wawrinka has now won his 11th consecutive finals on the ATP Tour.
