2013 saw Stanislas Wawrinka become one of the most feared players on the ATP tour. The Swiss up and comer pushed the world number 2, Novak Djokovic to five sets in Melbourne before embarking on a remarkable US open run later in the year which saw him convincingly beat Andy Murray, who was defending his title in New York, and contest anoter brutal five set match with Djokovic. Wawrinka, 28, capped off a great 2013 by finishing in the world’s top eight players and competing in the prestigious Barclays World Tour Finals. This year, Wawrinka is looking even better.
This week we were treated to Novak Djokovic vs Stanislas Wawrinka, part three. The pair faced off on Tuesday in the quarter finals of the 2014 Australian open and the prospect of another thrilling match between them was mouthwatering. Yet another five set blockbuster was played out, but this time there was no stopping an inspired Wawrinka. The match was full of up and downs, but in the end it was Djokovic who gave in to Wawrinka’s sheer brilliance and the match finished with a 2-6 6-4 6-2 3-6 9-7 Stanislas Wawrinka win.
The first defeat for Djokovic under new coach Boris Becker meant that his 28-match winning streak was over.
Djokovic said : “He deserved this win. I congratulate him absolutely. There is nothing I can say.”
Wawrinka now faces the tall, hard hitting Czech, Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals.
“It’s a really great feeling,” said the Swiss star. “There were some special moments which went well together in this match, making it for the first time here to the semis, winning my first match on Rod Laver after all these years. It’s been a very special match to me.”
Another great quarter-final match was tightly contested between Andy Murray and four-time Australian open champion, Roger Federer. Murray never reached his brilliant best during the tie and perhaps is still not 100% fit after recently undergoing minor back surgery. However, Federer produced the kind of performance that won him his seventeen grand slam titles. Murray fought hard until the last point, but the great Swiss produced constant brilliance on his way to recording a 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 victory over the Scot. Federer, 32, will now face his long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the event.
“It’s really a big pleasure for me being back in the semi-finals,” added Federer. “I think I’ve played semis here all the way since 2004.
“For me it’s an amazing result again to be in the semis. This one feels different because of the tougher times I’ve had in Slams, Wimbledon, at the US Open.
“It’s nice to be back in the semis and defend my points from last year. Not that it matters at my age.”
With Nadal not at his best against Nishikori and Dimitrov in the last two rounds, the Swiss Superstar has a great chance of reaching his 25th grand slam final.
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