Agencies
New York, Sept 12: Stan Wawrinka became the oldest US Open men’s champion in 46 years when he defeated World No.1 Novak Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title here Sunday.
Wawrinka, the 31-year-old third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 after almost four hours of high intensity tennis. He even held his nerve when the final threatened to erupt into controversy after Djokovic twice called medical timeouts in the fourth set.
Wawrinka is the oldest winner of the men’s tournament since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970 and the first over 30 to take the title since Pete Sampras in 2002.
It was the Swiss player’s first New York title, following his breakthrough 2014 Australian Open triumph and 2015 Roland Garros crown. On both those occasions, Djokovic had been the fall-guy, losing in Melbourne in the quarterfinals and ending as runner-up in Paris.
“Novak, you’re a great champion and a great person and because of you I’m where I am today,” stated the man who many in the media here called the performance a ‘Stantastic show’.
“This is amazing. I came here without the goal of winning it but just to step on the court trying to win. My goal is to give everything I have to be the best I can,” added Warwinka.
Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, had been seeking a third Slam of the year and 13th Major of his career. But converting only three of the 17 breakpoints he had, did not help his cause.
“Stan, you absolutely deserved to win. You were the more courageous player in the decisive moment and you deserve this title,” said Djokovic. It was a demanding match, but you were the better player.”
Djokovic, playing in his 21st Grand Slam final was quickly out of the blocks and was up 5-2 in the first set. But then he suddenly relaxed and Wawrinka came back strongly to tie the set at five-all. Even though he lost the tie-break, the seeds of the comeback had been sown.
Wawrinka broke early in the second to lead 3-1 and suddenly his shots were kissing the powders more frequently than that of Djokovic. Frustrated, Djokovic demolished his racquet, collecting a code violation from umpire Ali Nili.
The third set was a pulsating battle with both players exchanging breaks early on. But at 6-5, the Swiss hit two rousing backhands, which the Serb could only push wide. He lost his serve and found himself 1-2 down.
The World No.1 looked spent. He appeared to start cramping in the fourth set as he quickly slipped 0-3 down. Much to Wawrinka’s irritation, at 1-3 Djokovic called the trainer and took a medical timeout for treatment for blisters.
At 2-5, the trainer reappeared but Wawrinka saw the job through leaving Djokovic to finish a Slam runner-up for the ninth time.
‘Fabulous Four’ won’t alter to ‘Fantastic Five’
Following Stan Wawrinka’s win at the US Open Sunday, it may finally be time to officially expand the ‘Fab Four’ in men’s tennis to the ‘Fantastic Five’.
Since 2005, when Rafa Nadal won his first French Open crown, the Spaniard, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray have formed their own elite club, sweeping all but five of the Grand Slam titles.
The 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro and 2014 champion Marin Cilic both interrupted the Big Four’s dominance but only Wawrinka has repeatedly defied them. The Swiss is only a Wimbledon title shy of a career Slam.
Certainly Wawrinka gets Djokovic’s vote for inclusion, having taken two of his three titles at the Serb’s expense. “He deserves to be in the mix, no doubt about it,” said Djokovic. “Stan won three Grand Slams now and three different ones; (an) Olympic medal. (He has) been around for so many years, and he plays best in the big matches.”
Wawrinka, who won his first major at the 2014 Australian Open, may be the ultimate big-game player in men’s tennis. When he gets to championship match, the Swiss is money in the bank, winning his last 11 finals.
Despite his latest victory and a growing resume, Wawrinka insisted he was not in the same class as the ‘Big Four’ and would not expect to join the club any time soon.
“The Big Four, I’m really far from them,” offered a humble Wawrinka. “Just look at the tournaments they won, how many years they have been there. If you look, yes, I have three Grand Slam titles. How many Masters 1000 has Murray? I haven’t had one. That’s why I’m not there. I don’t want to be there.”
