They took interesting paths to get there, but Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have set up an intriguing final matchup at the U.S. Open. In six previous Grand Slam showdowns heading into Sunday, Djokovic and Wawrinka have played four five-setters.
Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will be squaring off for the 24th time in their careers when they battle for the U.S. Open title on Sunday afternoon.
Although Djokovic is dominating the head-to-head series 19-4, this has to be considered one of the most entertaining matchups in tennis over the past four years. Dating back to the 2013 Australian Open, they have faced each other five times in Grand Slams and four have required fifth sets. The two veterans split a pair of thrillers at the 2013 and 2014 Australian Opens, Djokovic prevailed 6-4 in the fifth in the 2013 U.S. Open semis, and he cruised 6-0 in the fifth last year Down Under before Wawrinka won the 2015 French Open via a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 decision in the final.
Speaking of finals, the third-ranked Swiss is an unbelievable 10-0 in his last 10 matches with a title at stake.
“He’s a big-match player,” Djokovic said of Wawrinka. “He loves to play [on] the big stage against big players, because that’s when he elevates his level of performance; just gets much better. I think he was very close to [losing in the third round] in this tournament and he was struggling with his form, but the last couple of matches he’s (been) getting in that shape that is winning him big matches. I lost to him in (the) finals of French Open and I lost to him in (the) quarterfinals of Australia when he won, as well.”
Wawrinka’s appearance in this final did not seem likely when he lost five of his last 10 matches prior to arriving in New York. Moreover, as Djokovic indicated, the No. 3 seed needed to save a match point against Daniel Evans in the last 32 before surviving 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(8), 6-2. He has also defeated Fernando Verdasco, Alessandro Giannessi, Illya Marchenko, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Kei Nishikori.
Although Wawrinka avoided five-setters in the rest of his matches, no one has enjoyed an easier time in Flushing Meadows than Djokovic. The Serb has benefited from a walkover (from Jiri Vesely) and two retirements (by Mikhail Youzhny and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga) in addition to mostly routine victories over Jerzy Janowicz, Kyle Edmund, and Gael Monfils. As such, the jury is still out on Djokovic’s form in the wake of a Wimbledon setback against Sam Querrey and a Rio Olympics loss to Del Potro. The world No. 1 was also nowhere near his best against Monfils on Friday, but the Frenchman turned in a somewhat bizarre performance to cost himself a chance for an upset.
Still, Wawrinka is well aware of what Djokovic is capable of bringing to the table.
“To play Novak it’s always really challenging,” he assured. “We [have] some many big memories together, especially in Grand Slams, so it’s going to be an exctiting match. The secret is simple: I have to play my best tennis; my best game. I have enough confidence in myself that when I play my best level I can beat him. Hopefully I can bring that Sunday. But it’s the biggest challenge; when you play Novak, the No. 1 player in the final of Grand Slam, it’s the biggest challenge you can have.”
It is also true that Djokovic is vulnerable right now, but at the same time his fortuitous trek through the draw is just what the doctor ordered for a player who had been struggling just a bit physically prior to the tournament. Even though the 12-time major champion showed additional signs of physical issues against Monfils, he is more rested than Wawrinka and should be able to put forth his best showing of the fortnight when it matters most.
Pick: Djokovic in 5
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Not a fair play from Novak! He is trying to disrupt Wawa’s rhythm! Let’s see if it worked…
Novak trying to talk to Stan to explain what is going on.
ESPN commies are being sarcastic about Novak needing to take a MTO for some toe problem.
Stan really has to keep it together here.
Pat McEnroe is a fedfan.
ESPN commies are talking about abuse of rules.
Stan trying to get the crowd going. Body serve from Stan.
So so so so many sloppy errors from both.
Not a high level match on any level.
Blatant foul play by Djoker.!?
I am not happy about the MTO for Novak.
Well done Stan!
Where’s the finger?
☝️
That was NOT good from Djokovic …
Anyway, stan continues to fend off adversity ! His DTL shots are too much for Nole.
@Hawkeye, I must say, all the pointing to the head has been justified today lol
vr,
Thank you for saying it! I agree!
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Sense Stan needs another break here. One break will not be enough
Cold blooded Swiss saves break points ! Respect!
Djoker should be booed off the court no matter what happens. No wonder he’s not popular with tennis fans in general.
Lol smh
just read this thread. nadline turning up to dish out hate is so predicatable and boring.
Congrats to all CryBabe fans here lol.
#CricketsChirping
what an irony. the guy who benefited the most from injuries this tourney is hobbling
He’s been hobbled for a while… Lets not act like this is a new thing
Rafa called an mto for blisters against fed and went on to beat him in Australia in 2014.
Exactly what I was thinking… But when Djoker does it, huge outrage…. What a joke
No I believe it was a huge outrage from CryBabe and the fans when Rafa took an mto at 2014 AO final.
Gonna go back and look into it, swear if I remember correctly it was swept under the rug like it was nothing.
Hahahaha um no.
Why is Novak still walking like that? He had the MTO. Are we to assume it didn’t help?
Now the trainer is out again!
Rafa actually had blisters Djoker is faking his.
I think the timing of the MTO was an issue… normally it is when the other player has finished his service game and then was one given when Stan was about to serve.
But yeah, nadline is over-doing it here lol
Rafa has done same. That’s an unwritten rule but you could tell he was clearly hampered prior to treatment.
They should put his legs in a cast and take him away on a stretcher. What a cheating clown Djoker is!!!!!
I don’t see how that was abuse of the rules.
Misunderstood. He apologized and explained to Stan. Stan just had to voice his complaint. They get each other. anesthetize that toe!
No, there is s problem with the toe. It was PMac who said it was abuse of the rules. But there is blood on his toe and it’s bandaged. The tournament supervisor is there keeping an eye on the MTO for Novak. It’s not a cramping issue. He does have some problem with his toe. They showed it close up! Ugh!
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Idemo Nole!
0-30. Hopefully Stan tightens up here and makes a few UFE
Everything to the body here from Stan on the serve.Smart
Fight! Deuce.
STANIMLALLLLLL !!! second MP!