US Open: Wawrinka halts Nishikori onslaught, faces Djokovic

Two-time major champion looking to upset title holder in final today

NEW YORK: Third-seeded Stan Wawrinka carved out a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Friday to set up a US Open title clash with world number one Novak Djokovic.

Defending champion Djokovic beat France’s Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to reach a seventh US Open final where he will be seeking a third major of the season and 13th of his career.

Wawrinka withstood an early onslaught from sixth-seeded Nishikori, asserting himself in the later stages despite the toll taken on both players in draining humidity on Arthur Ashe stadium court.

“It was tough conditions, it was really hot and humid so I knew it would be tough,” said two-time grand slam winner Wawrinka. “It’s crazy to be in the final.”



In contrast to Djokovic — who had a walkover and two matches shortened when opponents retired — Wawrinka has endured an arduous path to the title match, saving a match point in a fourth-set tiebreaker of a third-round victory over Briton Dan Evans.

In addition to that epic five-setter he’s played three four-setters.

Coming into the semis he’d spent 14 hours 47 minutes on court, a figure that swelled with his three-hour, seven-minute win over Nishikori.

“Nishikori dictated play early tonight, put pressure on me and gave me no time,” said the Swiss. “I had to wait and fight and make him uncomfortable. He got tired and I started to be more aggressive.”

Wawrinka, who shocked Djokovic in the 2015 French Open final, was looking forward to his first US Open title tilt.



“I am really excited, I want to enjoy the moment,” he said. “I have seen the final here on TV many times, watching Roger [Federer], Rafa [Nadal], Novak.”

Although Djokovic holds a 19-4 record over Wawrinka, including two victories since that Roland Garros surprise last year, Wawrinka welcomed the chance to take him on again. “To play Novak again will be very special,” he said.

Strange affair as Djokovic downs Monfils

Novak Djokovic downed Gael Monfils to reach a seventh US Open final on Friday after a semi-final in which the Frenchman was roundly booed and accused of not trying.

But his 13th win in 13 meetings with the mercurial Frenchman will go down as one of the oddest in Grand Slam history.



In a match of high drama and controversy, Monfils was jeered for an apparent lack of effort as he threatened to capitulate in straight sets.

“The first question is like you’re not competing. Yes, I’m competing,” insisted Monfils to reporters after the match.

Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, needed treatment on each shoulder, including a medical timeout in the fourth set, as crushing humidity of 60% took its toll.

At one stage, the Frenchman even called for a can of cola to help summon an extra level of energy, while Djokovic went into Incredible Hulk mode by ripping off his shirt in frustration on dropping the third set.

Monfils finished with 52 unforced errors while having to save 12 of 20 break points.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2016.

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