US Open 2016 Men's Final Highlights: Stan Wawrinka defeats Novak Djokovic for third major title

US Open 2016:

Men’s singles champion: Stan Wawrinka

Women’s singles champion: Angelique Kerber

Men’s doubles champions: Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares

Women’s doubles champions: Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova

Mixed doubles champions: Mate Pavic and Laura Siegemund

​

Junior Boys’ singles champion: Félix Auger-Aliassime

Junior Girls’ singles champion: Kayla Day

At 31 years, five months, Wawrinka has become the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall in 1970 (35 years, 10 months). 

He is also on an 11-match winning streak in finals since the beginning of 2014. Prior to that, he was 4-9 from 2005-13. 

Roger Federer is still the last male player to have defended the US Open title. He won the last two of five in a row in 2007-08.

US Open men’s final summary:

Pointing to his temple after winning the biggest of points, Stan Wawrinka wore Novak Djokovic down and beat the defending champion 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday for his first U.S. Open title and third Grand Slam trophy overall.

The 31-year-old Wawrinka is the oldest U.S. Open men’s champion since Ken Rosewall was 35 in 1970.

Yet he already had gained the upper hand by the time No. 1 Djokovic clutched at his left leg and grimaced after missing a forehand while getting broken early in the fourth set. From there, Djokovic briefly began conceding points, showing little of the fight he’s so famous for, and received treatment on both feet from a trainer.

The No. 3-seeded Wawrinka has won only five of 24 career meetings against No. 1 Djokovic, but has now beaten the 12-time major champion on the way to each of his own Grand Slam titles, including in the 2014 Australian Open quarterfinals and 2015 French Open final.

Wawrinka won 144 points overall to Djokovic’s 143.

The Swiss saved 14 of 17 break points; and converted 6 of the 10 he created. 

For 3rd time at this event, he dropped the first set and still won.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Congratulations, .@stanwawrinka! #usopen pic.twitter.com/Ar5JZhIOp2

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2016

Stan Wawrinka is 1 of 8 men to win at least 3 Grand Slam finals without losing pic.twitter.com/qpR2XVlS7Z

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 12, 2016

Stan Wawrinka’s record:

3 Grand Slam finals

3 times against the reigning number 1

3 different Majors

3-0

Australian Open 2014

French Open 2015

US Open 2016

Have to love this! Well done to both, from start to finish today...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/6362h7xWzC

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 12, 2016

Stan Wawrinka becomes the 6th player in the Open era to win the US Open after saving match point. (He did it against Dan Evans in the third round.)

Wawrinka getting the hugs from the cool Magnus Norman and Donna Vekic #usopen pic.twitter.com/ajf5jp7ytO

— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) September 12, 2016

#Wawrinka pic.twitter.com/ArRXkrPjMD

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 12, 2016

Stan Wawrinka is the US Open 2016 champion!

He defeats the defending champion 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to win his third Grand Slam title.

Wawrinka goes down 0-30.

Then comes up with a ground stroke winner and a big serve. 30-30. 

Two points away.

Two quick holds from both players and we have arrived at 5-2. 

Djokovic takes another medical timeout for his toe. He will now serve to stay in the final. 

Wawrinka just four points away from lifting his first US Open trophy!

Such a crucial game for Wawrinka to hold and how! Djokovic had three break points but couldn’t convert any. Then on game point, he hit a blistering forehand in the hole to finally hold. 

Djokovic let him off the hook in that game. He has converted only 3 out of 17 break points that he has created.

pic.twitter.com/iL2tRppn5C

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 11, 2016

“He can see the physio, whenever he wants…he could have done it while he was still serving.”—Wawrinka

Djokovic to Wawrinka, with a wave of the hand: “Stan, sorry man. I couldn’t stand it.” Wawrinka with a half-shrug, half-wave back.

Djokovic was in danger of going down a double break after double faulting twice in his previous game but he wriggles out a hold after Wawrinka sends a return long. 3-1.

Djokovic sort of limping at the end of the game and then calls for a trainer. Remember, this is not the change of ends and Wawrinka looks annoyed. Djokovic takes a medical timeout for blisters on his foot. 

Wawrinka visibly frustrated and complains to the chair umpire loudly about the timing of the MTO.

Match stat: #Wawrinka has won 16 of the last 20 points. Can he keep the streak going to win his first #usopen title? pic.twitter.com/FMlRMTXfns

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2016

In the fourth set, Wawrinka quickly races to a 3-0 lead after breaking Djokovic’s serve once. The backhand is on fire now. Clean, strong hitting from the Swiss man.

Meanwhile, Djokovic looks like he may be cramping and isn’t moving all that well. No trainer called at the change of ends though. He just puts ice on his legs. Wawrinka in control of the match. Can the defending champion change things up?

Third set summary:

Stan Wawrinka is one set from winning the U.S. Open against top-ranked Novak Djokovic.

Wawrinka won the third set 7-5 to take a two sets to one lead in Sunday’s final. The third-seeded Wawrinka broke Djokovic’s serve in the final game for the second straight set.

Wawrinka is looking to improve to 3-0 in his career in major finals, which includes a victory over Djokovic at last year’s French Open. He’s won the last 10 tournament finals he’s contested.

Set three summary... #USOpen pic.twitter.com/MxaHl8RR5S

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 11, 2016

Number of points won:

Wawrinka 117

Djokovic 110

The third set lasted for an hour and 16 minutes and it didn’t even go to a tie-break! Slugfest.

Stan Wawrinka breaks to take a 2-1 lead over Novak Djokovic!

Very clutch from the Swiss on break points and he will now open the fourth set, serving first. Just like he did in the last two sets.

Gorgeous view of the Arthur Ashe Stadium as the sun sets on the US Open men’s final. 

6-5 #Wawrinka. #Djokovic unsettled. Stan finding more run-around FH's. Match could be won in next 15 mins #USOpen pic.twitter.com/0cM6bCqEeG

— Craig O'Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) September 11, 2016

Djokovic breezes through his service and holds at love to put the pressure on Wawrinka.

Wawrinka gets to 30-30 on his own serve but then gets a bit of luck. Djokovic’s backhand clips the tape, falls back at 30-30. On the next point, his forehand does the same at 40-30. 6-5 to the Swiss. 

Djokovic serving to take it to a tie-break.

And Wawrinka holds on his third advantage point. Every time he was in trouble, he went for the body serve to restrict Djokovic’s returning. And then held with the kicker out wide. 

Djokovic serving to stay in the third set at 5-4.

4-4 and this turning out to be an extremely crucial game. Wawrinka had 40-0 but the double faulted. Deuce. 

Wawrinka cannot string two points together Two more deuces after he lets advantage points slip twice.

The sun is setting, but this match is heating up! #usopen pic.twitter.com/h4FqyJLV3k

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2016

Wawrinka living dangerously at 30-30 on his serve. But then he pulls out a stunner of a first serve and holds to make it 4-3. Needed this game desperately to put an end to Djokovic’s game-streak at three.

Subdued celebration (none) by Novak after he breaks, but the fans are UP! Back on serve in set three. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/USkwEpMRr0

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 11, 2016

Wow. One really long service game later, we are back on serve in the third set. Wawrinka saved one break point but Djokovic’s perseverance finally pays off and it 2-3.

Look who’s in the house!

Look who's watching this *Titanic* battle - it's Leo! 😂 #SorryNotSorry #USOpen pic.twitter.com/C6r0BckLzq

— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) September 11, 2016

Djokovic finally holds in the third set after losing the last five games of the match. He gets on the board, 3-1.

Wawrinka is zoning right now. Hitting winners of his forehand and backhand at will. Most imporatntly, his body serve has been working really well against Djokoivic. Rescued him every time he’s been in a bit of a hole.

Wawrinka-Djokovic winners
5-3 Aces
16-8 Groundstrokes, approach shots, passing shots
3-4 net shots

— Carl Bialik (@CarlBialik) September 11, 2016

Wawrinka races to a 2-0 lead in the second set, saving break points on his own serve and then breaking Djokovic’s. Four straight games won by the Swiss player.

Break points converted:

Wawrinka 4/7

Djokovic 2/11

Second set summary:

Stan Wawrinka has evened up the U.S. Open final against Novak Djokovic at a set apiece.

The two-time major champ won the second set 6-4 after Djokovic won the first in a tiebreaker. Wawrinka broke Djokovic’s serve in the final game on the Serb’s 14th unforced error of the set.

After a shaky start to the match, Wawrinka started to find his form late in the first set, and that continued in the second.

Djokovic was quite unhappy after dropping his serve and the second set. Took it out on his racquet!

Stan-stat - #Wawrinka lost the first set when he:

Beat Djokovic on his way to #AusOpen title in 2014

Beat Djokovic in #RG final in 2015

— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) September 11, 2016

Stan Wawrinka takes the second set on his second set point! Djokovic sent a return long and we are level in the US Open men’s final. 6-7(1), 6-4.

20-shot excellent rally and Wawrinka has two set points! After moving Djokovic from side to side, Wawrinka closed it out with a forehand winner down the line. 

Djokovic saves the first after yet another long rally. One more to go.

Wawrinka replies with a love-hold of his own. We are heading towards the business end of this set an Djokovic will serve to stay in it at 4-5.

Djokovic consolidates his break with a love-hold for 4-4. This set has turned on its head very quickly. From 1-4 to 4-4.

Novak Djokovic is undefeated at the US Open after winning the first set. He’s won all 51 off his matches when he tales the opener. 

And he breaks back in the second set. Very impressive returning from the World No 1 with a cross-court winner that just clipped line to bring up break point. He roars in approval after securing the break. 3-4.

Djokovic stays in touching distance in the second set by holding to love. 2-4.

Throwback Sunday, anyone? 

Remember when they played doubles together? Stanislas and Novak. Jolly boys. https://t.co/pn4Z0i5obr

— Aleksa (@Noleksa) September 11, 2016

Wawrinka was in big trouble on his serve, going down three break points. But he rescues himself with two big serves – one into the body of Djokovic – and a long baseline rally that he dictated. Five points on the trot and the Stan roar is back! 4-1.

We see you #StanTheMan! Wawrinka strikes first, breaking #Djokovic and consolidating on his serve to take a 4-1 lead pic.twitter.com/FyIMbR4piZ

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2016

Djokovic is teh first to blink in the second set as he double faults twice. Wawrinka then hits a smashing backhand down the line winner to take a 3-1 lead.

Set 1 #Djokovic v #Wawrinka rally length

0-4 shots = 26-20 Nole
5-8 shots = 12-7 Nole
9+ shots = 7-6 Stan.

0-4 is the gold. 🏆

— Craig O'Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) September 11, 2016

First set summary:

Novak Djokovic has won the first set of the U.S. Open final against Stan Wawrinka in a tiebreaker.

Djokovic dominated the tiebreaker 7-1 after some shaky moments earlier in the set. He wasted two set points against Wawrinka’s serve while leading 5-2, then got broken when he tried to serve out the set in the next game, double-faulting on break point.

But in the tiebreaker, a backhand passing shot by Djokovic put him up 3-1, and he won the next four points to close out the set.

Two service holds from both players to start off the second set. 1-1. 

Djokovic threw in a double fault on serve and Wawrinka had a big miss off his running backhand. Could have been a completely different game had the Swiss made that.

Food for Swiss thought. The last two times Wawrinka beat Djokovic (14 Aus Open, 15 French Open) he lost the first set

— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 11, 2016

Take a look at the point of the match so far again! 

#Wawrinka #Djokovic pic.twitter.com/QkIuUsB1Ew

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 11, 2016

Djokovic takes the opening set 7-1 in the tie-break. The only point that Wawrinka won in the tie-break was a crazy exchange at the net with a brilliant volley at full stretch. 

On the very next point, Wawrinka hit a stunning inside out forehand but Djokovic was waiting there to return with an excellent pass down the line. And the the World No 1 didn’t drop any more points to seal it convincingly. Quick start, string finish.

Stan wins a looooong point in the TB https://t.co/kEtHN0F0AB

— Tony (@tjc05) September 11, 2016

Wawrinka holds comfortably to force a tie-break! 6-6.

Novak has......thoughts? https://t.co/s0a1ssB7Vb

— Tony (@tjc05) September 11, 2016

Djokovic races away with his service game for 6-5. Wawrinka will have to hold to force a tie-break to keep this set alive.

Uh oh. Djokovic double faults on the third break point and gifts his game to Wawrinka. The one-break advantage has been erased. Wawrinka has suddenly ffound his groove and is hitting cleanly now. 

On his own service game, Wawrinka wastes little time. He holds at 15 to level the opening set. 5-5.

Wawrinka hits three explosive forehands and is awarded with three break points!

Djokovic saves the first one with an ace and then Wawrinka send the second one long off a backhand. One to go.

Gutys hold! Wawrinka saves two set points to stay alive in the opening set. Hit a gorgeous drop shot early on in the game, and then closed it out with a backhand down the line pass and a monstrous forehand winner. 3-5. 

Djokovic now serving for the first set.

Love-hold for Djokovic, who hasn’t been put under pressure at all. Great defence and deep returns have been the key for the #1 seed.

5-2 #Djokovic. Winning the court position battle + BH to BH + consistency. Stan needs more RA forehands #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ggY4DZnEKa

— Craig O'Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) September 11, 2016

One break point saved by Wawrinka in that crucial hold. But the backhand showed signs of coming to life in the last game which will please Wawrinka.

In all his matches so far, Wawrinka has struggled early on and taken a while to get warmed up. Today, he might not have that luxury against the best player in the world.

Wawrinka saves the break point with a massive serve and two even bigger backhands. Deuce again.

Wawrinka fell behind 0-30 on his own service game but Djokovic threw in a few unforced errors of his own. 

The World No 1 then hits a forehand down the line winner off a short Wawrinka return to make it deuce. 

Wawrinka hits a backhand long after a long rally and it’s break point Djokovic.

The unforced errors keep piling up for Wawrinka. Count is up to 11 now. Djokovic, on the other hand, is hitting the ball very cleanly and leads 4-1. 

Wawrinka making too many errors off his backhand. Hitting it either long or into the net and the reason why he trails 1-4. #USOpen

— Nikhila (@kokudum) September 11, 2016

Wawrinka finally gets on the board! Hitting first serves and sneaking into the net, he manages an easy hold. 1-3.

Djokovic quickly consolidates the break of serve by holding to love. He’s leading 3-0 and has had the perfect start to the US Open final. Wawrinka still trying to fins his rythm and hitting length on Arthur Ashe stadium.

Djokovic breaks! Wawrinka nets a backhand return and goes down 0-2 to start the final.

Wawrinka has hit eight unforced errors and one winner in the opening two games.

Djokovic is returning really deep and earns himself a break point.

Fantastic defence from Djokovic on the very first point on Wawrinka’s serve! The Swiss player smashed the ball twice but Djokovic was there every time to return it just inside the lines. Wawrinka eventually sends a backhand wide to drop the point.

Djokovic was down a dangerous 15-30 in his very first service game but the #1 seed holds with some good serves followed by a shanked Wawrinka forehand.

Djokovic starts proceedings by serving first.

Ready? Play!

Moments away from #Djokovic vs. #Wawrinka. #usopen pic.twitter.com/bBmwjo0NDK

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2016

The players are out on court and are warming up! Play will begin shortly.

Head-to-head:

Djokovic owns a 19-4 career head-to-head advantage over the Swiss third seed. He leads 4-2 in grand slam meetings against Wawrinka. 

Wawrinka won their last meeting at a major, defeating Djokovic in the French Open final.

Paths to Sunday’s US Open men’s final:

Novak Djokovic (SRB x1)

1st rd: bt Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1

2nd rd: bt Jiri Vesely (CZE) walkover

3rd rd: bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 4-2 retired

4th rd: bt Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4

QF:     bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x9) 6-3, 6-2 retired

SF:     bt Gael Monfils (FRA x10) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2

Stan Wawrinka (SUI x3)

1st rd: bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-4

2nd rd: bt Alessandro Giannessi (ITA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5

3rd rd: bt Dan Evans (GBR) 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (10/8), 6-2

4th rd: bt Illya Marchenko (UKR) 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3

QF:     bt Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

SF:     bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x6) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2

Some more interesting stats before the final gets under way:

+ Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, is appearing in his sixth US Open final in seven years and seventh overall. 

+ The 29-year-old Serb is trying to become the first back-to-back champion since Roger Federer won the last two of five in a row in 2007-08. 

+ In his 21st Grand Slam final, Djokovic is attempting to capture a third Grand Slam title in the same season for the second straight year and third time in his career (2011, 2015). Federer also accomplished the feat three times (2004, 2006-07). 

+ Djokovic has advanced to 19 of the past 25 Grand Slam finals and during that stretch he is 11-7 in finals (12-8 overall in career). 

+ Djokovic has spent 8 hours, 58 minutes on court, playing 13 completed sets at this year’s US Open.

+ Wawrinka is making his first appearance in the US Open final. The 31-year-old’s previous Slam titles came over Rafael Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open and Djokovic at 2015 Roland Garros. 

+ Wawrinka is on a 10-match winning streak in finals since the beginning of 2014. Prior to that, he was 4-9 from 2005-13. 

+ The Swiss star had to save a match point in his five-set third round win over Dan Evans.

+ At 31 years, five months, Wawrinka is attempting to become the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall in 1970 (35 years, 10 months). 

+ Wawrinka has reached the final by playing 17 hours, 54 minutes.

US Open 2016 final: Novak Djokovic conscious of Grand Slam party-pooper Stan Wawrinka – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Just over an hour to go for the men’s final! Take a look at the preview.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 @BMATTEK @luciesafarova #usopen pic.twitter.com/IBMBzNcFl7

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2016

Women’s Doubles Final:

Lucie Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeat top seed Caroline Garcia/Kristina Mladenovic 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to lift the title!

Gifted by a second-round walkover and two retirements along the way, Djokovic has spent less than nine hours on court, completing 13 sets through six rounds at Flushing Meadows.

Wawrinka has been on court twice as long, 17 hours, 54 minutes, playing 23 sets.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the men’s final!

It’s the last day of the last major of the year and here’s what’s ahead:

[1] Novak Djokovic vs [3] Stan Wawrinka