Stan Wawrinka Upsets Novak Djokovic to Win 2015 French Open

The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Mary Chastain

Stan Wawrinka stunned the world with a dominating French Open win against world number-one and favorite Novak Djokovic in five sets. He wins the title exactly 10 years after he won the French Open boys singles.

“It was an incredible atmosphere on court and I felt emotion like I never have before,” he told the crowd after he received his trophy. “I would like to thank my coach, Magnus Norman. You played in the final twice without winning but this victory is yours as well as mine.”

The man who handed him the trophy was Gustavo Kuerten, who defeated Norman in the 2000 final.

It was a semi-slow start to the match for Wawrinka. Djokovic played like the favorite in the first set, securing his serve and breaking Wawrinka once. Everything changed in the second set. Wawrinka had the upper hand, scoring eight out of nine second service points and fighting off five break points. The set continued to stay on serve with both men powering the ball over the net. But it was Wawrinka who won the set with the first break.

Djokovic found some fire after he saved his serve when Wawrinka failed to convert three break points and tied the set 1-1. Wawrinka finally broke Djokovic to go up 4-2 and that is all he needed. He dominated the net and crashed 15 winners. Djokovic won another game, but Wawrinka held at love to win the set. He was up two sets to one.

A fifth set loomed in the distance as Djokovic went up 3-0 in the third set with a break. But Wawrinka’s defense kept him in the set with a break to force the players back on serve. Djokovic won his next game to make it 4-3 and even went up 0-40 with three break points. It was an essential win. However, Wawrinka’s defense and serve allowed him to fight it off to even the set once again. Djokovic knew he had to defend his serve, but the Serb’s hit at the net landed on the wrong side to give Wawrinka the advantage. Djokovic’s perfect serve was answered by Wawrinka’s gorgeous backhand that landed right on the line.

Wawrinka stepped up to serve for the championship.

At 30-30, Djokovic’s backhand ended up just wide, which gave Wawrinka match point. The umpire called off his ace. Djokovic forced him to the baseline to make it deuce. On the next serve Djokovic out swerved Wawrinka to go up break point. There was still life in the Serb, but more in the Swiss. He won the serve and a forehand on match point swished right past Djokovic for the win.

Runner up Djokovic took his trophy with class as the crowd cheered. He could no longer hold back the tears.

They also exploded for Wawrinka as he took his trophy.

With this win, Wawrinka will be ranked fourth in the world. Next up is Wimbledon. He made it to the semi-finals last year where he lost to countryman Roger Federer.

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.