The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsStanislas Wawrinka denied Novak Djokovic his first French Open trophy and the chance to complete a career grand slam achievement, as the Swiss player held off the Serbian 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4. Despite dropping the first set, Wawrinka fought back with a devastating display to win his first Roland Garros title and snap Djokovic’s current winning streak.
The first set saw both players hold serve in the opening few games, but it was Djokovic who made the breakthrough as the Swiss player donated the break of serve when he double faulted to end an error strewn game. Wawrinka, at times displayed some incredible shots but it was his opponent who was the more consistent, and allowed Djokovic to consolidate his lead.
Despite Wawrinka threatening to recover the break when he saved two sets points on Djokovic’s serve following some brilliant exchanges, the world number 1 showed his composure in the most crucial period once again. The Serb saved a break point with an immaculate wide serve, eventually closing out the game and the set 6-4 when Wawrinka sprayed a forehand wide.
Djokovic started the second set brightly, and pressed for the early advantage but this time Wawrinka stood firm to stave off the challenge and win the opening game. The Swiss started to impact his opponent’s service games, and even manufactured break points on consecutive Djokovic service games, but his trademark backhand let him down to allow the world number 1 to escape and hold serve.
Even though the Swiss player was frustrated at his inability to break, he maintained his pressure and was finally rewarded at 5-4. What appeared to be a routine service game for Djokovic quickly transformed into a set point for Wawrinka, as the Swiss blasted consecutive winners to eventually tie the match at one set apiece when Djokovic pushed a groundstroke long under pressure.
Wawrinka started the third set with intent to build his momentum, and forced break points on Djokovic’s first service game but the Serb just managed to hang on. However, the world number 1 was left powerless when Wawrinka played a quite remarkable game, hitting a string of exceptional winners to break the Serb and take control of the set.
Djokovic held on to his remaining games, but Wawrinka was simply inspired as his powerful groundstrokes pulled his opponent all over the court, and it secured him the set 6-3 to take a two sets to one lead over the favourite.
However, Djokovic swiftly responded to the sheer brilliance of his opponent early on the fourth set, as a netted backhand by Wawrinka sealed the first break of serve and Djokovic seemed to be recovering to take the match to a decider.
However, Wawrinka dug deep to break back following a pulsating rally, and even had chances to go ahead. But, Djokovic denied him with some clutch net play, and appeared to have finally grabbed the momentum when he eventually held serve and then established a 40-0 lead at 4-3 on Wawrinka’s serve.
This time, the Swiss player remarkably saved all of them to keep his opponent at bay, and his resilience was rewarded with a break of his own when a sumptuous backhand down the line left him serving for the match at 5-4.
Djokovic denied Wawrinka on the first match point and somehow created a break point when he flicked a backhand winner. But, a nervy forehand let Wawrinka off the hook and the Swiss ended the extraordinary match with his trusted backhand down the line to seal his second grand slam.
So, Stanislas Wawrinka will now enter the grass court season full of confidence, having captured his second major title and is a serious contender for Wimbledon. As for Djokovic, he spectacularly floored Nadal who had prevented him in previous years, and beat Murray to look odds on favourite to complete the career grand slam. But, the wait still goes on…..
