Wawrinka Shocks Djokovic for French Open Crown
Stan Wawrinka came back from a set down to beat world number one Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and win the French Open crown.
Wawrinka used a masterful one-handed backhand to shoot winners down each line all match long, taking advantage of some possible fatigue in Djokovic’s legs. He fired 60 winners compared to just 30 for Djokovic, and just seemed to play with a more aggressive nature about him.
“Certainly one of the best matches of my career, if not the best,” Wawrinka said after the match.
In winning the title, Wawrinka captured the second major title of his career, while also denying Djokovic the career Grand Slam.
“I know he’s looking for that title,” said Wawrinka, of Djokovic’s chase for a French Open win. “I hope he will get one, one day, because he deserves one.”
The French Open crowd gave Djokovic an extended standing ovation following the match, something that brought Djokovic to tears. The Serb has lost in the Roland Garros final three times now in his career.
“Not easy to stand there as a runner-up again,” said Djokovic. “But I lost to a better player who played some courageous tennis.”
The win bumps Wawrinka back up to number four in the world, while Djokovic maintains his big lead atop the ATP Men’s Singles Rankings.
