Stanislas Wawrinka secured his second Grand Slam title in Paris with a stunning display of attacking tennis that Novak Djokovic could not match.

Beforehand, most of the pundits were focusing on the burning desire of the Serbian to win Roland Garros and complete his collection of Major triumphs. Given Djokovic’s incredible form in 2015 – he has won his last four Masters 1000 tournaments – many regarded the outcome as an inevitability. However, given his Swiss opponent’s rapid improvement in the last few years, nothing was certain. Since his partnership with Magnus Norman, Wawrinka has been transformed from consistent top-20 performer to Grand Slam contender. His win against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open in 2014 saw him enter the game’s elite, albeit with an asterisk next to his name, after the Spaniard suffered a back injury. However, he was facing a fully-fit opponent in Djokovic, who had dispatched 9-times French Open Champion Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray in an epic clash in the semi-finals. However, Wawrinka had also excelled in the previous rounds, beating compatriot Roger Federer in straight sets, before defeating crowd favourite Jo Wilfried-Tsonga.

 

It did not take long for both players to get into their rhythm, as they engaged in a breathtaking 39-shot rally in the opening game, which went Wawrinka’s way. Both players were swinging well off both wings, and the exertions of the Murray match, which had finished the previous day, did not initially appear to affect Djokovic, while Wawrinka was troubling his opponent with the weight and angle of his groundstrokes, forcing him into more errors than usual. The World No.1 eventually broke in the seventh game however, and this was the crucial moment in the first set, which Djokovic wrapped up 6-4.

 

However, the underdog was undeterred, and continued to go on the offensive, using the width of the court to stretch Djokovic to his limits. He came under immediate pressure from Djokovic in the opening game of the second set, but survived break point. The standard of play remained relentlessly high, with both players still highly dependable on their serve. Under Norman, Wawrinka has added punch to some of his strokes, and it was this aspect of his game, as well as his increased fitness and agility, which allowed the champion in Melbourne to become more effective. He was also coming to the net, demonstrating that he can move forward and play the finesse shots just as well as those from the baseline. The Swiss maestro’s positive approach almost led to a break of serve in the fourth game, but a lack of composure meant that he could not take advantage, despite a superb backhand down the line that gave the current Wimbledon champion no chance. Given that Djokovic is traditionally strong in the longer rallies, it was a surprise to see him outlasted by a player far less accustomed to the big occasion. However, Wawrinka was still unable to claim the break of serve that his play perhaps merited, as Djokovic managed to hang during the pressure points, using every bit of his athleticism to slide and scramble around the Parisian dirt. To his credit, Wawrinka refused to abandon the tactic that saw him dispose of both Federer and Tsonga, but it was proving less effective against the elastic genius. Wawrinka thrashed at the net as another chance went begging. However, the tide of the match was beginning to turn. Despite Djokovic going 30-0 up on his serve, the Swiss No.2 came roaring back, and this time he took his chance. He showed admirable stamina to stay in yet another punishing rally, but after the Serbian had sent back a relatively tame double-handed backhand, Wawrinka ripped his backhand at lightning in the direction of his opponent. Djokovic managed to retrieve the situation and scooped the ball back into play, he then erred on his next shot, sending the ball long to leave the match intriguingly poised at one set apiece.

 

The standard was still high at the beginning of the third set, and Wawrinka had his tail up. After holding in the opening game, he won two break points on the Djokovic serve. However, the eight-time Grand Slam champion displayed all his fighting qualities to salvage the situation, moving in for the kill with the drop shot, and showing more aggression on both the forehand and backhand wings. However, Wawrinka soon after produced a game that encapsulated his attacking philosophy. Another trademark single-handed backhand down the line, this time on the run, set up three break points, and he took full advantage, as a poor slice-drop from Djokovic, allowed Wawrinka to come forward and rip the forehand into the open court. He then held serve to take the set to 5-2 in his favour, before delivering a sensational single-handed backhand winner (sound familiar?) round the net-post, to his opponent’s exasperation and the crowd’s amazement. Stan the Man, as he has become known, continued to go for broke, resulting in him taking the third set and taking a significant stride towards the title.

 

However, there is a reason that Djokovic is considered by many to be one of the greatest players to have played the game, and he illustrated his ability to triumph in the face of adversity by breaking at the first opportunity. He was starting to find his range, and for the first time in a long time, his adversary was beginning to show signs of frustration. That mood of optimism in the Serbian’s camp did not last however, as Wawrinka showcased his thunderous groundstrokes and superb defensive skills to wear down his impatient opponent. The confidence of the 30-year-old was plain to see, and he showed none of the timidity that can plague underdogs on the pressure points. Djokovic was then down on his serve at 3-3, but produced a few moments of magic to keep the dream of completing the Career Grand Slam in 2015 alive, in honour of his first coach, Jelena Genĉić, who passed away two years ago. The outpouring of celebration from her former charge gave the impression that he had already won the tournament, although his reaction was understandable at a critical juncture in the match. Wawrinka then disastrously went three break points down, and it seemed that a deciding set was imminent. However, his swashbuckling style got him through that tricky patch. What proved to be Djokovic’s final service game was incredibly tense. Wawrinka’s backhand though was once again too hot to handle. Another ripped backhand ensured that the game was won and that he would serve for the title.

Understandably, the ‘pretender’ felt the weight of destiny on his shoulders in the final game, and the final game epitomises the frenetic, to-and-fro nature of the match. However, it was appropriate that the hammer blow should be delivered with another trademark one-handed backhand, and as it dropped onto the baseline, the crowd on Philippe Chatrier stood to acclaim their new champion.

Alex Bowmer

Featured image: ibtimes.co.in