Australian Open 2014: ‘Stan the Man’ Wawrinka surges to first Major final

Ever since the draw for this year’s Australian Open was made almost two weeks ago, fingers and toes around the world had been crossed in hope of the most glamorous match-up in tennis.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal each has enough star-appeal and tennis kudos to fill the Rod Laver arena. But when they play one another, there has always been synergy. Polar opposites in looks, tennis style and personality, they seemed from the outset always to get the best from each other as they dominated rankings, Majors and headlines. Thirty-two times they have played across a decade, and still the anticipation of their meetings is unmatched by any other rivalry.

But the other Australian semi-final, the one that did not, in the end, feature the defending champion Novak Djokovic, nor the popular world No4 David Ferrer—nor even one of the charismatic younger stars tipped to upset the old masters such as Jerzy Janowicz or Vasek Pospisil—was a genuinely intriguing match.

It featured two men shackled together in the rankings, Tomas Berdych at No7 and Stan Wawrinka at No8, and with those rankings on the line in this match: Wawrinka would leapfrog to a career-high No7 with a win.

Both, at the age of 28, had proved a constant at the highest level of the game, could count the biggest names among their victims, and had shown a determination constantly to improve.

Berdych is one of a select band of men on the tour to reach a Grand Slam final—Wimbledon in 2010—and was now a member of another select band, owning a complete set of Major semi-finals. This is his 42nd consecutive Grand Slam, his 11th straight Australian Open. He has been seeded at every Major since 2005, has been in the top 10 for four years and no lower than No7 since October 2011.

The impressive Czech reached a career-high No5 last summer, beat Federer in Dubai, Murray in Madrid and Djokovic in Rome, as well as Ferrer in the quarters here. He has grown leaner, fitter and more willing to supplement his huge serve and forehand with forays to the net. Yet in Wawrinka, he faced a problem.

“Stan the Man” garnered this moniker last year when his resurgent form and
self-belief produced some notable matches—not least here in losing to Djokovic 10-12 in the fifth set of a dramatic fourth-round contest.

Wawrinka has never wanted for ability, and owns one of the best single-handed backhands in tennis, a match-winner in its own right. But after taking up with Magnus Norman a year ago, his tennis has become more aggressive and forward-moving, his physical shape sharper and more durable, and that combination has generated his best results in years.

During 2013 he reached his first Masters final since his 2008 run, in Madrid, followed it with a quarter finish at Roland Garros and his first Grand Slam semi at the US Open. He accumulated nine wins over top-10 players and reached a career-high No8 in the rankings to qualify for the World Tour Finals for the first time. There, he beat Berdych for the third consecutive time during 2013… and that took his head-to-head against the Czech to 8-5.

Aside from the similarities in their professional progression, the Berdych-Wawrinka performances in Melbourne were uncannily similar: both with around 10 hours on court, both with around 40 aces, both with a fastest serve of around 136mph—and of course both eager to take one step closer to a first Australian Open final.

It soon became clear, though, that Wawrinka’s greater variety and superior movement would be key. Not was he able to take control with a big serve, he straight away attacked the net—much as he had done to beat Murray in New York—with volley winners.

What also seemed to take Berdych by surprise was his ability to play winners off both wings, now slotting a cross-court backhand passing shot, now a flat angled forehand onto the sideline. A couple of tight errors from Berdych in the eighth game gave Wawrinka a break, and he served out with his biggest serve so far, 134mph, for a 6-3 first set in just half an hour.

The second set was saw Berdych more settled and striking his serve and forehand more confidently while Wawrinka maintained his impressive level. It made for tight, compelling tennis—few long rallies, plenty of winners, nine aces apiece, as well as a scattering of great touch volleys from both sides.

The Czech, though, all but eliminated his unforced errors, cranking up 20 winners to just eight mistakes in the set, so when it reached a tie-break, he was in prime condition to take it by the scruff of the neck. A combination of his signature down-the-line forehand, a couple of penetrating backhands and an aggressive mind-set sealed the set, 7-1.

The third set was more of the same: clean serving, big forehands from both men and hardly a break point in sight. They were playing clutch tennis, clean and clinical, and with intense mental focus. Not until 4-4 did either face a break point, and it was Wawrinka. The emotions bubbling just below the surface burst out as he aced it and urged himself on to a hold. It was gutsy, bold play and the crowd—already behind Wawrinka—cheered him on.

By the time they reached another tie-break, the two men had dropped only five points on first serve between them out of 47 deliveries. But the fire in Wawrinka’s belly carried him through a resounding 7-3 hold, helped by two tense double faults from Berdych.

The opening game of the fourth, and Berdych immediately had to defend a break point and six deuces, hit two doubles faults but three aces to survive almost 15 minutes.

Almost an hour later, the two were back in tie-break territory, after a tense set of near equal winners and errors, and some edgy line challenges. Neither player seeming to have the upper hand, but once the tie-break began, it was Wawrinka who stepped in to take command, a calm, confident figure who looked determined to finish this off. He took a 3-0 lead and never lost it, serving out 7-4 for one of the most popular results of the tournament.

The last time Wawrinka beat Berdych was last November at the World Tour Finals, where he enjoyed huge support—and not just from the Swiss fans. He was asked about it afterwards, and in his typical quiet style, he responded with a smile: “They wanted Roger, but they had me.”

Yes, his compatriot is probably the most in-demand player in tennis, but Wawrinka has well and truly earned his own place in the hearts of tennis fans around the world.

Most know of the effort he has put into climbing back from 29 in the rankings not two years ago to reassert himself in the top ranks. Most know of—and respect—the mind-set that has taken him there, etched as a reminder on his forearm: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” The proof, if it was needed, has been in Melbourne—his first Grand Slam final in 36 attempts.

But make no mistake: It is the quality of the tennis as much as the man that has built legions of fans, drawn to his bold attacking style, his glorious backhand, and his simmering passion.

And now, his illustrious fellow Swiss, Federer, must not only beat Nadal to reach the final with his friend but must also beat Wawrinka to remain the top-ranked Swiss. Another first may lay just over the horizon for Stan the Man.