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Stan Wawrinka wins US Open after defeating Novak Djokovic

Stan Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic in four sets
Image: Stan Wawrinka beat Novak Djokovic in four sets

Stan Wawrinka won the US Open final against an uncharacteristically tiring Novak Djokovic on Sunday night.

The No 3 seed won the third Grand Slam of his career with a 6-7 6-4 7-5 6-3 win at Flushing Meadows.

The result compounds a miserable summer for the world No 1, Djokovic, who surprisingly lost to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, and was reduced to tears by Juan Martin Del Potro at the Olympics.

Novak Djokovic had fitness issues as the match dragged on
Image: Novak Djokovic had fitness issues as the match dragged on

Wawrinka's sheer strength and stamina eventually wore down Djokovic, who looked less able to match his opponent's physical output as the final reached its climax.

Defending champion Djokovic had completed just three matches in six rounds at the US Open after a bizarre run blighted by injury withdrawals, but paid the price for his lack of court time when Wawrinka dragged him into a gruelling duel.

Stan Wawrinka's power was too much for Novak Djokovic
Image: Stan Wawrinka's power was too much for Novak Djokovic

Djokovic didn't show many ill effects as he won a first set tie-break, but his fourth double-fault of the match handed Wawrinka a break advantage in the second set. Djokovic broke back, but Wawrinka had the final say.

Wawrinka's three-game lead was cancelled out in the third set as Djokovic gritted his teeth, but the Swiss broke again in the final game to take the lead.

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Stan Wawrinka celebrates
Image: Stan Wawrinka celebrates

With Djokovic's legs no longer carrying the same spring, Wawrinka took the first three games of the fourth set. The world No 1 took a savvy medical time-out to unsettle Wawrinka and it almost paid dividends, but Djokovic couldn't convert any of his three break point chances.

Wawrinka eventually put away his second championship point to add the US Open to previous wins at the 2014 Australian Open and the 2015 French Open.

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