US Open final: Stan Wawrinka ready to upset the odds against Novak Djokovic
Monday 12 September 2016 01:35, UK
Stan Wawrinka heads into Sunday’s US Open final against Novak Djokovic as the underdog but the Swiss star is confident he can beat the world No 1 if he finds his best form.
Wawrinka outslugged Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori 4-6 7-5 6-4 6-2 in energy-sapping humidity at Flushing Meadows on Friday to advance to the final.
Awaiting him is Serbian superstar Djokovic, who reached his 21st Grand Slam final and seventh at the U.S. Open with an eventful victory over Frenchman Gael Monfils.
The pair have met six times previously in Grand Slam play with four of those matches going the five-set distance.
In 2015, Wawrinka halted Djokovic's bid for a career Grand Slam with a stunning four-set victory in the French Open final at Roland Garros and he is confident he can repeat that success.
"The secret is simple: I have to play my best tennis, my best game," said Wawrinka, who also won the Australian Open in 2014 and defeated Djokovic along the way in the quarter-finals.
"He's the number one player, an amazing fighter, an amazing player, but I have enough confidence in myself that when I play my best level I can beat him. Hopefully I can bring that Sunday."
Djokovic, a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-2 winner against Monfils, is prepared for a sterner test from Wawrinka.
"Stan is a big match player," Djokovic said when asked about the Swiss, who has won his last 10 finals.
Djokovic added: "Both of these Grand Slam trophies that he has, he won against me on the way."
The 12-time Grand Slam winner is determined not to add a third loss to that list.
Sunday will be Wawrinka's first appearance in the final at Flushing Meadows and the 31-year-old says he is determined to savour the occasion.
"To tell myself I'm going to be in the final is something crazy," Wawrinka said.
"I'm really excited. I watched the final so many times here. Roger (Federer), Novak, Rafa (Nadal) they are amazing champions. To play Novak in the final... is going to be something special."
