By Chris Oddo | Friday September 9, 2016
Stan Wawrinka’s pet name seemed very apt on Friday as the Swiss proved to be a physical specimen of the highest degree in the extreme humidity. Affectionately dubbed “The Stanimal” by his compatriot Roger Federer, the 31-year-old vigorously battled past a weary Kei Nishikori and into his third career Grand Slam final, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.
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Nishikori started fast and furious, rolling through the first set in just 29 minutes, but the No. 6 seed wilted in the muggy conditions as third-seeded Wawrinka seemed to only grow stronger.
That is not to say that Nishikori didn’t compete. Though struggling, his will to win never wavered and he nearly took a two sets to one lead when he held a break point at 4-all in the third. But Wawrinka was too punishing, too physical and too hungry. He wiggled out of trouble and broke Nishikori in the next game, lacing a patented one-handed backhand that overpowered a net-rushing Nishikori to take a two sets to one lead.
Wawrinka raced to a 3-0 lead in set four but again Nishikori rallied to reclaim the break before the Swiss doubled down his intensity to claim the final three games on the trot.
For Nishikori, who battled past Andy Murray in five sets to reach the semifinals, the challenge of hanging with Wawrinka was simply too much on this day. “I mean, definitely I was a little bit tired, especially in the end,” he said. “Last two set was really tough.”
Wawrinka said he detected fatigue in his opponent, and he sensed that if he kept pushing him physically he would come through as the victor.
"I had to wait,” said Wawrinka, who improves to 4-2 against Nishikori lifetime and 38-12 on the season overall. “I had to fight. Tried to play a little bit harder, tried to make him a little bit uncomfortable. He also started to get tired--a little bit--that's when I started to put my game to be aggressive.”
Wawrinka, who has won his last ten tour-level finals and owns 14 ATP titles overall, says he is thrilled to reach his first final at the U.S. Open. “I'm really happy,” he said. “It was an amazing atmosphere again and to tell myself that I'm going to be in the final it's something crazy."
His opponent in the final will be a familiar one.
Novak Djokovic defeated Gael Monfils earlier on Friday to reach his 21st major final. The Serb famously fell to Wawrinka in an epic French Open final in 2015, and the pair have met 23 times, with Djokovic winning 19.
The pair’s last meeting at the U.S. Open was an epic five-setter that was interrupted by a minute-long standing ovation from the crowd—it took place in the semifinals in 2013, and yes, it was that good.
Djokovic, on paper, has been dominant in the pair’s rivalry, but in truth the two have been much closer in reality, particularly since the start of 2014. Wawrinka has undergone an eye-opening renaissance since pairing with coach Magnus Norman, one that has seen him shore up his forehand, top off his fitness, and become a player with a penchant for the big match.
Djokovic will head into the final as the favorite to win his 13th Grand Slam title and become the first back-to-back title winner in New York since Roger Federer in 2008 when the Swiss won his 5th consecutive U.S. Open title, but if there is one man with the moxie—and talent—to take out the World No. 1, most would agree that it is Wawrinka.