Stan Wawrinka ousted world number one Andy Murray 6-7(6) 6-3 5-7 7-6(3) 6-1 to advance to his second Roland Garros final.
In their 18th meeting and a repeat of last year’s semi-final both Wawrinka and Murray started strongly as they both held comfortably to level the start of the set at 1-1. However with each Murray service game came more brutal power from the forehand and backhand of Wawrinka, punishing every weak second serve that came his way. However the Brit’s intelligence got him through his service games to level at 3-3, it was obvious that Murray would have to come to the net to break down Wawrinka’s game. However in the eight game it didn’t work. Wawrinka outsmarted Murray, drawing the Scot into the net and a backhand pass flew past Murray for a 5-3 lead. However Andy Murray is one of the best defenders on the ATP world tour and a missed forehand by Wawrinka gave the Scot a lifeline as he came back to a 5-4 deficit. There were no breaks of serve in the set and as a result the first set went to a tiebreak. In a thrilling first set tiebreak Murray saved set point to take the tiebreak 8-6.
The start of the second set saw both men dominate from the back of the court to hold their respective serves in the opening six games. Although Wawrinka, who lost his first set of the tournament in this match, kept the pressure up on the world number one and a stunning one handed backhand sealed a crucial for a 4-3 lead. Unforced errors crept into Murray’s game, which would eventually cost him. This is as Wawrinka held and then broke again to seal the second set 6-3. The match was now at 1 set all and Wawrinka was now in a very comfortable position in the match.
The world number three started where he left off in the third set as he broke the Murray serve early and started to play some elegant and stunning tennis as he stormed into a 3-0 lead. In the next few games Murray and Wawrinka would share breaks of serve as Wawrinka took a 4-2 lead in a crucial set of tennis. Wawrinka’s point construction was starting to get better and tested the Brit’s movement thoroughly. On the other hand Murray was a fighter and wasn’t going to let new tactics put him off, as a result he won the next two games for 4-4. The Brit’s fighting spirit continued as he broke in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead. He then held serve to 15 to seal the third set 7-5. A crucial 2 set to 1 lead was established for Murray.
The fourth set was the best set in terms of quality in the match. Both men hitting groundstrokes and winners that are fully deserving of a grand slam final. Wawrinka hitting winners from ridiculous angles and Murray’s defence was exceptional at the most crucial times. The Swiss hit 18 winners, one of them you can see below:
How. Did. He. Do. This?
Any explanations welcome, @stanwawrinka…#RG17 pic.twitter.com/73yfQltx7B
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017
There were no breaks of serve as the fourth set went to a second tiebreak of the match. Wawrinka continued his strong mentality and continued to pummel the ball as he sealed the fourth set 7-6(3). A fifth set loomed in this epic clay court battle.
The final set was all Wawrinka’s, domination on both wings saw Murray lose concentration. Two games in a row turned into three games in a row. It was a masterclass on how to beat Andy Murray on a clay court, not even the defensive skills of Murray could stop the Wawrinka onslaught as the 2015 champion stormed into a 5-0 lead against a vulnerable world number one. The Brit managed to stop a bagel, but he was only delaying the inevitable and as a result Wawrinka sealed victory in four hours and 33 minutes on Philippe Chatrier.
“It’s incredible to be in another Roland Garros final,” said Wawrinka.
“I was hesitant in trying to finish the first and third sets but I felt like I could retake control.
“Andy always makes you play another ball, he makes you play badly.
“It was a great atmosphere which makes you give it your all.”
Stan Wawrinka will now play Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday.
