Stan the man: Wawrinka wins US Open

Stan Wawrinka has completed a remarkable fortnight at Flushing Meadows, winning his first US Open title with a comprehensive display against Novak Djokovic.

Wawrinka was both physically and mentally stronger than the world No.1, completing a 6-7(1) 6-4 7-5 6-3 victory

The Swiss star has now won his last 11 finals.

In the third round, Wawrinka saved a match point to beat Dan Evans, before skipping away with four four-set wins over successive opponents.

“I don’t know what’s happening right now,” said Wawrinka during the on-court trophy presentation.

“This is amazing. I came here without expecting, without the goal to win, but every time I stepped on the court I tried to win.

“I think I played quite well these two weeks. I’m completely empty.

“To bring everything I did today against Novak was so much emotion … this is something I’ve never had before. It’s been an amazing night.

“My goal is to give everything I have to be the best player I can. I’m trying step by step to be the best I can. And that’s what happened tonight.”

Djokovic was in control of the early stages, breaking early to build a 3-0 lead. Soon it was 5-3 and the Serb was serving for the opening set.

But cracks began to appear. Djokovic missed two set points and dropped serve, and Wawrinka was back in the set.

It progressed to a tiebreak, which Djokovic won comfortably. But he was soon down 4-1 after Wawrinka broke in the fourth game of the second set.

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The No.1 seed recovered the break in the seventh game, only for Wawrinka to play superb tennis on return in the 10th game; he broke to take the set, and levelled the match.

In the third set, it was Wawrinka in the driver’s seat against an increasingly rattled and frustrated Djokovic.

The Swiss built a 3-0 lead, swinging freely and racking up the winners – late in the third set, his tally had reached an impressive 18, to Djokovic’s eight.

Although Djokovic broke back in fifth game, Wawrinka broke again in the 12th game to snare the set 7-5.

He dominated the fourth, again building a 3-0 lead.

Djokovic, appearing hampered, got on the board in the fourth game and then promptly called the trainer, getting treatment for a toe issue while Wawrinka raged about the unfairness of the timing of this event.

It mattered little.

Despite facing break points, Wawrinka settled with a forehand winner to hold for 4-1, and continued to hold his serve to maintain his advantage.

Down 5-2, Djokovic received more treatment on his toe at the changeover. He held for 5-3, but it merely delayed the inevitable.

Wawrinka went down 0-30 when serving for the match, and dropped his first match point with a forehand into net.

But when presented with a second opportunity, he didn’t falter.

Djokovic sent a backhand long to hand the Swiss his third major title in the past three seasons.

The Serb tipped his hat to Wawrinka, acknowledging him as the more courageous player on Sunday night.

“He just deserves to win this title,” Djokovic said.

“At this level of professional tennis, playing seven, eight months of the season you are not very fresh, but coming into a Grand Slam final you are giving it your best … it was a demanding match we played today physically.

“He was tougher mentally, who knew what to do. I was just unlucky in some important moments.

“It was a fantastic couple of weeks for me. I didn’t know if I was going to come to US Open a few weeks before because I struggling physically.

“If someone had told me I was going to play US Open finals I would have accepted it.”