Stan Wawrinka once again exhibited his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, capturing the U.S. Open men's singles title from Novak Djokovic with a 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 triumph over the world's top-ranked player.
Although Djokovic, the champion at five of the last seven Grand Slams, started as an understandable favorite at Flushing Meadows, Wawrinka came into Sunday's contest having won his 10 most recent finals and beaten the Serbian en route to his two previous major successes — at the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open.
An error-strewn start from the No. 3 enabled Djokovic to seize the early initiative this time around, but he was ultimately left to rue a host of missed opportunities on break points.
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Wawrinka soon found his rhythm, his groundstrokes breathtakingly brilliant at times, and appeared to have the edge both physically and mentally as he closed out victory in 3 hours, 54 minutes, with Djokovic — whose fitness has come under the microscope in recent months — seemingly hampered by blisters on his feet in what proved the final set.
Djokovic therefore remains tied for fourth with Roy Emerson in the all-time list of Slam winners, with 12 titles to his name, while the new champion in New York joins Andy Murray as a three-time winner of tennis' premier events. Wawrinka now requires only a Wimbledon crown for a career Grand Slam.
31-year-old @StanWawrinka is oldest Grand Slam champ since @AndreAgassi at 2003 @AustralianOpen and #USOpen champ since Ken Rosewall in 1970
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 12, 2016
Wawrinka, forced to save a match point in his third-round win over Dan Evans, started abysmally at Arthur Ashe Stadium, making eight unforced errors in the first two games alone, but was able to fight back from 5-2 down to force a tie break in the opener.
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More mistakes proved costly for the No. 3 seed in the breaker, which was won comfortably by Djokovic despite Wawrinka coming out on top in one sensational rally that brought the crowd to its feet.
Nevertheless, a sense of frustration appeared to linger for the reigning champion across much of the match and Djokovic was unable to establish momentum after twice receiving treatment on his feet during medical timeouts in the fourth set.
As his opponent toiled, Wawrinka was able to maintain his focus amid the interruptions and claim a Slam crown for the third year in succession.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Wawrinka [3] def. Djokovic [1] 6-7 [1-7], 6-4, 7-5, 6-3
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Wawrinka - 46/51
Djokovic - 30/46
ACES
Wawrinka - 9
Djokovic - 6
BREAK POINTS WON
Wawrinka - 6/10
Djokovic - 3/17
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Wawrinka - 56
Djokovic - 51
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Wawrinka - 71/51
Djokovic - 78/53
TOTAL POINTS
Wawrinka - 144
Djokovic - 143