Stan Wawrinka wins US Open, tops Djokovic in four sets

Third seed Stan Wawrinka rose to the occasion once again to beat top-seeded defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-7(1) 6-4 7-5 6-3 and win the US Open on Sunday for the third grand slam title of his career.

The 31-year-old Swiss, who defeated Djokovic on his way to winning the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open, denied the world number one a third grand slam title this year following the Serb’s wins in Australia and France.

Wawrinka, who does his best work with titles on the line, set up his championship point with an easy volley after sending a fatigued Djokovic deep into the backhand corner.

A Djokovic backhand that sailed long ended the nearly four-hour slugfest at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“This is amazing,” Wawrinka said at the trophy ceremony. “I came here without the goal to win it, but every time I step on the court I tried my best to win every match.

“I think I played quite a lot of tennis these two weeks, I am completely empty. I had to bring everything I had today against Novak. It was so much emotion.”

It was another Flushing Meadows disappointment for Djokovic, who in seven trips to the US Open final has twice won the title and finished runner-up five times.

“He is a great champion and deserves to win this title,” the 12-times slam winning Serb said in congratulating Wawrinka.

“We played almost four hours and we both felt it. We both felt the demanding match we played today physically but he came out on top. In the decisive moments he was a better player, he was tougher mentally.”

The victory was worth $3.5 million for Wawrinka, who is only missing a Wimbledon victory to complete the coveted career grand slam.

He is a perfect three-for-three in grand slam finals.