TENNIS Stan Wawrinka fought back from a set down to beat Novak Djokovic in four sets with 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 after 3 hours and 12 minutes clinching the second major title of his career in the Roland Garros final held on a sunny day in Paris. For Djokovic the French Open remains the only Grand Slam title missing from his trophy cabinet. Wawrinka was presented with the Coupe des Mousquetaires by three-time Roland Garros champion Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten who incidentally beat Wawrinka’s coach, Magnus Norman in 2000. Diego Sampaolo
Wawrinka had to save an early break point to hold serve after a 39-shot rally in the first game of the match. He had to save another in order to remain on serve. However, the pressure of holding serve got to him as he was broken at love in the 7th game after double faulting. Soon Djokovic was serving for the opening set up 5-4. Wawrinka saved two set points but Djokovic was able to close it out 6-4. The Serbian released a roar as he converted on set point.
Djokovic looked to be about to run away with the match as he earned a break in the opening Wawrinka service game in the 2nd set. However, the Swiss No. 2 fended it off and later began routinely earning break points on the Djokovic serve. Djokovic found himself continually under pressure to hold serve but he accepted the challenge as he held time each time. Serving to stay in the set down 4-5, Djokovic again looked poised to hold serve as he was up 30-0. “Stan the Man” sensing that the crucial stage of this match, lifted his game to win four consecutive points and earned himself a 6th break point. A backhand error from Djokovic leveled the match as Wawrinka took the 2nd set 6-4.
Wawrinka held his serve at the start of the third set but Djokovic again have to save break points in his service game. The pressure proved to be too much as Wawrinka broke serve to love in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead en route to clinching the third set with 6-3. Wawrinka hit 15 winners and won 19 of 21 first serve points in that set. Now it was the Swiss who seemed poised to take his 1st French title and not the overwhelming favourite, Djokovic.
Djokovic sensing that another French Open final failure is near, quickly took control of the 3rd set when he raced out to a 3-0 lead. However, Wawrinka was not about to be denied this chance as he broke back winning 12 of his next 15 points to level the set at 3-3. Djokovic held serve for 4-3 and earned himself triple break points to go up 5-3 and serve for the 4th set. Wawrinka again raised his level and held serve for 4-4. He then broke Djokovic on his 15th break point of the match with another brilliant backhand winner. Serving for the match up 5-4, Wawrinka employed another brilliant backhand to take the match saving break point for his 1st French Open title 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Wawrinka hit 60 winners including nine aces and converted on four of his 15 break point chances. Thanks to his second Grand Slam title Wawrinka will return to World Number 4 in the ATP Ranking. Wawrinka has crowned a magical tournament in which he beat fellow countryman Roger Federer (2) in the quarterfinal and local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (14) in the semifinal. In collecting this title, the Swiss player also made a bit of history as he also won the junior title in Paris back in 2003. He has become the first past junior winner to win the men’s title since Mats Wilander in 1988 and the sixth player to win at both junior and senior level. He is the third oldest first time Roland Garros champion in the Open Era.
“I had a good talk with my coach Magnus Norman before the final. I was feeling realaxed until maybe 15 minutes before to go on the court. Then I started to be really nervous. I am still surprised with the way I played because I think I played amazing today. I was really nervous but I didn’t really choke. I was always going for my shots, always going for my shots. Pierre Paganini plays a key role in my career. He is instrumental in the good results all along my career. It’s always strange when I tell myself that I have a Olympic gold medal, the Davis Cup and two Grand Slams”, said Wawrinka
Djokovic said after his defeat that this defeat and the appreciation from the crowd will give him extra motivation to bounce back next year “You go through emotions I was more nervous than any other match. We both were aware of the importance of the matchand that’s why you tend to have these particular stuations. I am proud of the fight that I put into this match. I tried my best. It wasn’t to be. This is sport. That’s what happens on this level. You have to accept the loss. I respect the respect the crowd showed me. It was more or less the same situation like last year in the closing ceremony. This gies me more motivation to come back and keep on trying”, said Djokovic
