Stan Wawrinka considers himself to be a cut below the "Big Four" in tennis. But when it comes to toppling Novak Djokovic lately at grand slams -- the leading member, on current form, of the illustrious quartet that also includes Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray -- Wawrinka has no equal.
Upsetting the world No. 1, 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 7-5 6-3, in a bruising four-hour US Open final to win a third grand slam title. To the side of the court on Arthur Ashe stadium in New York, "9/11/01" was inscribed 15 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the city.
Djokovic sizzled at the start, racing to a 4-1 lead. But in allowing Wawrinka to find his way into the first set, the match veered in a different, and for Djokovic, displeasing direction. Djokovic was broken to end the second and third sets, before suffering physically in the fourth. Normally ruthless in converting break points, he slumped to 3-for-17.
The 31-year-old Wawrinka possesses thunderous strokes able to penetrate perhaps the unparalleled defense of Djokovic, with his versatile one-handed backhand attracting the majority of the plaudits. But don't forget the forehand, which is among the most punishing around
Wawrinka, who struck a stunning 46 winners, became the oldest men's champion at the US Open since Ken Rosewall in 1970.
"This honestly is amazing," Wawrinka said during the trophy presentation. "I came here without putting a goal to win (the tournament) but every time I stepped on the court I was trying to win every match.
"I think I played quite a lot of tennis these last two weeks. I'm completely empty. I had to bring everything I had today against Novak."
Whereas Djokovic has won four grand slam matches in a row against Wawrinka's fellow Swiss, Federer, five straight against Murray and the only one he contested against Nadal since 2015, he is merely 3-3 in his last six against Wawrinka.
Who was the last player to down Djokovic in a grand slam final? Wawrinka, at the 2015 French Open when he also conceded the first set. Now he took a bite out of Djokovic in the Big Apple.
This after saving a match point against Dan Evans in the third round. How Djokovic must have wished Evans completed the job.
Wawrinka rallied, though. He broke early in the second when Djokovic hit two double faults in one game.
Djokovic was now in difficulty. He dropped serve to end the second set. Then he dropped serve to end the third.
Wawrinka sensed he was getting closer to victory. His attacking game was proving too much for Djokovic.
Djokovic began to wilt physically, needing a pair of medical timeouts in the fourth set. There was no coming back.
And Wawrinka would later be lifting the trophy.
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