Paris on Sunday witnessed an epic clash for the French Open between the Swiss player Stan Wawrinka and the world number one Novak Djokovic. The eighth seed Stan Wawrinka shattered Novak’s dream of a French Open Title on Sunday as he defeated the Serb to become the oldest winner at Roland Garros in over 25 years. The 30-year old Swiss player defeated Novakto take his first ever French Open Title from a set down to win the title 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. This is Stan’s second major Grand Slam title after the 2014 Australian Open.
Wawrinka beats Djokovic to take maiden French Open title
Stan who had earlier knocked out Roger Federer out of the French Open, seemed to have shocked himself as well with this win and was not able to fathom the historic and famous win by defeating the current world number one. “Right now it’s a little difficult to think about it. It’s the biggest challenge in the sport to face Djokovic. He is a very big champion. It’s been a great match and thank you to all the fans”, Stan said as he tried to find words to describe the win.
Wawrinka lost the first set to Novak who looked to be in control of the match and was on course to finish the match in three sets. Wawrinka from nowhere in the second set racked up his game to win some early forehand points. He failed to convert two break points in the fourth game as Djokovic still was a force on the court. Djokovic saved a few more break points which saw the Swiss violently smash the net with his racquet in frustration for which he picked up a warning. In the fourth set Novak found a late lease of life to take a lead of 3-0 before Wawrinka found his rhythm back to take a 30 stroke rally. Stan went on to win a few more break points and went on to win the game.
Post-match analysis suggests that Wawrinka was not necessarily the better player in terms of numbers Wawrinka had higher unforced errors, 43 as compared to 39 by Djokovic and also a lower 1st serve percentage than Novak and more double faults. Stan Wawrinka however managed to play competitive tennis which some comment being Wawrinka’s “match of his life” with more winners, 57 compared to 29 by Novak.
Novak’s shock defeat is only his third loss in 44 matches this year but this brings an end to his 28 match-winning streak. “Obviously it is not easy to stand as a runner up again but I lost to a better player who played some courageous tennis and deserved to win”, Novak said in a press conference after his loss. Novak thought he played well however there were times in retrospect he feels that he could have been more aggressive on court. Novak commented that, “I thought I was hanging in there” and agreed to the fact that the second set was the turning point for the whole match.
Novak has been handed his third loss at Roland Garros and this year was probably his best chance for anther French Open title with both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both knocked out of the tournament earlier. Novak said he was disappointed with this loss and also added that this makes him more motivated for coming back next year with more vigour and better prepared.
Tags: French Open, Grand Slam, Novak Djokovic, Paris, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Stan Wawrinka, Stanislas Wawrinka
