Australian Open final highlights: Stanislas Wawrinka beats Rafael Nadal to win men's singles title

Catch highlights of the Australian Open men's singles final between eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka and World No.1 Rafael Nadal.

 

 

 

Wawrinka after winning his first Grand Slam: I'm sorry for you Rafa, you are a good guy and an amazing champion. You did great to regain your No.1 ranking and it is always a pleasure to play with you.

Wawrinka on the Australian Open: This is the best Grand Slam for me. I am looking forward to come back. Last year, I had a crazy match when I lost it against Djokovic.  I cried at that time and this year, I don't know if I am still dreaming. One year is a lot of time for me to promise anything but we will see tomorrow morning.

Wawrinka on Australian Open's tournament director Craig Tiley: You are the best tournament director and this Grand Slam is the best out of all.

Wawrinka on his team: I'd like to congratulate my team, my coach Magnus Norman, it was my first Grand Slam semi-final and now I have won the whole thing. I'm missing my fitness trainer and my physio, who are not here with me.

Wawrinka on fan support at the Australian Open: Many thanks to all the people here as well. These two weeks, I enjoyed great support and I will see you all in 12 months.

 

 

Nadal after the loss: You really deserve it. We have a great tennis relationship. You never managed to beat me but today you did. Many congratulations and best of luck for the future.

Nadal on the organisers: Thank you very much to the Australian Open organisers. They make it an unbelievable experience for us every day.

Nadal on his team: I thank my team and my coach for all the support. Without them, I wouldn't have been where I am right now.

Nadal on the fan support at the Australian Open: These two weeks have been very, very emotional for me. I tried very, very hard to win. Last year, it was very tough when I didn't have the chance to play here. Thnak you very much to the fans for all the support. See you in 12 months.

 

16:45 (IST): So, it is an upset in this year's men's singles final at the Australian Open. Eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who took out defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, has now also overcome World No.1 Rafael Nadal in the final, a man who was clearly in a lot of physical discomfort in this match. The winner is from Switzerland but he is not Roger Federer. He is the new Swiss No.1, Stanislas Wawrinka. After the win, Wawrinka is expected to climb to No.3 when the world rankings will be updated on Monday.

 

 

16:40 (IST): Eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka beats top seed Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to win the 2014 Australian Open men's singles title, his first career Grand Slam win.

 

16:35 (IST): Wawrinka breaks Nadal again! The Swiss will now serve for the Australian Open championship at 5-3 in the fourth set. (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 5-3)

 

16:32 (IST): Nadal breaks back! This match is a rollercoaster ride! Nadal will now serve to level it up in the fourth set at 3-4. (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-4)

16:30 (IST): Wawrinka gets a break! The Swiss is running away with this match now. He leads 4-2 in the fourth set. (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-2)

16:24 (IST): Wawrinka hits two aces in this game to lead 3-2 in the fourth set. (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-2)

 

16:22 (IST): Nadal is in no mood to give up in this match. He holds serve to make it 2-2 in the fourth set. (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 2-2)

 

16:18 (IST): Wawrinka holds serve before the players' break in the fourth set. (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 2-1)

 

16:15 (IST): Nadal holds serve after a seesaw battle in the second game of the fourth set. It's 1-1. (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 1-1)

 

16:10 (IST): Wawrinka makes a great statement early in the fourth set by holding his serve to love with a glorious backhand winner. He leads 1-0 and by two sets to one. (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 1-0)

 

16:06 (IST): Nadal takes the third set 6-3! He is showing Wawrinka that it is him who is supposed to call the shots in this match and not the Swiss. Are we heading towards a five-setter? (3-6, 2-6, 6-3)

16:00 (IST): Wawrinka holds on and forces Nadal to serve for the third set at 5-3. (3-6, 2-6, 5-3)

15:57 (IST): Wawrinka pulls one wide to give Nadal a 5-2 lead. He will now serve to stay in the third set. (6-3, 6-2, 2-5)

 

15:55 (IST): Wawrinka chooses to play smarter and reduces the running on court. He holds serve to trail 2-4 in the third set. (6-3, 6-2, 2-4)

 

15:50 (IST): Nadal hits his trademark forehand down Wawrinka's backhand side to hold serve in the fifth game of the third set. He leads 4-1. (3-6, 2-6, 4-1)

 

15:47 (IST): Wawrinka is firing in some bombs on serve. He holds serve to trail 1-3 in the third set. (6-3, 6-2, 1-3)

 

15:44 (IST): Nadal takes a 3-0 lead in the third set. He looks in much better shape as of now. (3-6, 2-6, 3-0)

15:41 (IST): Nadal gets a break! Are we going to see a five-setter in this Australian Open men's singles final? Nadal leads 2-0 in the third set and is down two sets to love. (3-6, 2-6, 2-0)

15:37 (IST): Nadal makes a good hold of serve in the first game of the third set. He leads 1-0 but is down two sets to love. (3-6, 2-6, 1-0)

15:35 (IST): Nadal uses the time between sets to get a little massage on his back from the trainer. He is serving first in the third set and is down 0-30. (3-6, 2-6)

15:32 (IST): Wawrinka takes the second set 6-2 and extends his lead to two sets to love in this best of five. (6-3, 6-2). Match duration: 1 hour and 17 minutes. Second set duration: 39 minutes

 

15:30 (IST): Nadal somehow holds serve. The trainers are asking him if he is okay. Wawrinka will now serve for the second set at 5-2. (6-3, 5-2)

15:25 (IST): Wawrinka zooms ahead to a 5-1 lead in the second set. He won the opening set 6-3. (6-3, 5-1) Nadal will serve to stay in this set.

 

15:21 (IST): Nadal looks extremely uncomfortable on court right now. He drops his serve once again and Wawrinka gets a 4-1 lead in the second set. (6-3, 4-1)

 

15:18 (IST): Wawrinka looks angry. He holds his serve to love and leads 3-1 in the second set. (6-3, 3-1) Nadal struggling with his injury.

 

15:15 (IST): There's another argument between Wawrinka and an Australian Open representative. Wawrinka maintains his stance that he needs to know what's wrong. It has been more than six minutes since the last point was played.

 

15:13 (IST): Wawrinka has a heated debate with the chair umpire and argues that he needs to know what's wrong with Nadal. The umpire says he has no clue.

 

15:11 (IST): Nadal calls the trainer and takes a three-minute medical time out.

 

15:09 (IST): Nadal fights off deuce to hold serve in the third game of the second set. Trails 1-2. (3-6, 1-2)

15:04 (IST): Wawrinka leads 2-0 in the second set. He makes a tough volley to hold serve. (6-3, 2-0)

15:00 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka breaks Nadal in the opening game of the second set without losing a point. This is looking ominous for the Spaniard. Wawrinka leads 1-0. (6-3, 1-0)

 

 

14:54 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka takes the first set 6-3 after 37 minutes. This match is showing all signs of a great final!

 

14:49 (IST): Nadal fights on and forces Wawrinka to serve for the first set at 5-3.

 

14:45 (IST): Wawrinka puts his foot off the pedal for a while after leading 40-0 in this game but then comes back to hold serve and lead 5-2. Nadal will serve to stay in the opening set.

 

14:41 (IST): Rafael Nadal is no mood to let this set slip away so easily. He holds serve to make it 2-4 in the opening set.

 

14:35 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka is making spectators at the Rod Laver Arena believe he can win this match. He holds serve to lead 4-1 in the opening set.

14:31 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka strikes first! Gets the early break of serve in the first set. He leads 3-1.

 

Here's how the Rod Laver Arena looked like before the match. Australia Day celebrations!

 

 

14:27 (IST): Wawrinka follows Nadal's act on serve. Holds serve in the third game of the opening set with a breathtaking backhand pass. Leads 2-1.

 

14:23 (IST): Rafael Nadal holds serve with an amazing cross court forehand winner. It's 1-1 in the opening set.

14:21 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka makes a good start. Takes three minutes to hold his serve in the first game of the opening set. Leads 1-0.

 

14:15 (IST): Rafael Nadal will become the youngest men's player in history to win 14 Grand Slams if he wins today.

 

14:13 (IST): Stanislas Wawrinka was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the fourth round last year at the Australian Open while Rafael Nadal had to miss the tournament due to an injury. Wawrinka's best result here was when he reached the quarterfinals in 2011 while Nadal's best result was when he won the tournament in 2009.

14:08 (IST): Rafael Nadal wins the toss and elects to receive serve first.

 

14:06 (IST): Players take court in this exciting Australian Open men's singles final clash at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Rafael Nadal gets the best reception from the crowd.

13:43 (IST): Rafael Nadal will come into this match knowing that Wawrinka can be a formidable opponent, especially after having seen him take out defending champion Novak Djokovic from the tournament. He said after beating Federer that Wawrinka would be high on confidence.

 

13:02 (IST): Rafael Nadal has been in the final of a Grand Slam 19 times while his Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka will be playing his first major final today. Will the weight of expectations and the pressure from the crowd be a handicap for the Swiss No.2?

 

12:47 (IST): Through his way to the final, Nadal has beaten Bernard Tomic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, Grigor Dimitrov and Roger Federer. Wawrinka has had to overcome Andrey Golubev, Alejandro Falla, Vasek Pospisil (walkover), Tommy Robredo, Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych to reach the final.

12:43 (IST): The first match between Nadal and Wawrinka also took place at the Australian Open in 2007. The Spaniard won 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

12:33 (IST): This will be the 13th time these two will play each other in their career. Till now, Stanislas Wawrinka has not even managed to win a set against Rafael Nadal.

 

Match Preview

At an Australian Open marked by upsets and new story lines, Rafael Nadal will play Sunday's final against a man often called the "other" Swiss tennis player.

Now, after a stunning run in Melbourne, Stanislas Wawrinka has a new nickname: The Stanimal - a tribute to his gritty, fight-until-the end style of tennis. Fittingly, perhaps, the name was apparently coined by none other than Roger Federer, in a tweet of support for his friend which quickly caught on earlier in the tournament.

Now that Federer is out of the running - he lost to Nadal in the semifinals - the 17-time Grand Slam winner and long-time ambassador for Swiss tennis has joined those cheering for Wawrinka to win his first Grand Slam final. It is a match that holds historical significance for all three players.

If the No. 1-ranked Nadal wins, as the odds suggest he will, the 27-year-old Spaniard will become the first player to win each of the majors twice in the Open era. It would be his 14th Grand Slam trophy and bring him one step closer to Federer's all-time record of 17.

If No. 8-ranked Wawrinka beats Nadal to win his first major title, he catapults to a career high of No. 3 in the rankings. Just reaching the final assures Wawrinka of the No. 5 spot, meaning for the first time he will pass Federer, who is now ranked sixth.

On the eve of the final, Wawrinka said he was still shocked by his success. "It's insane. It's incredible," the 28-year-old Wawrinka said Saturday, speaking to reporters in English and in his native French. "I never imagined that one day I would be here, playing in the final."

After a breakthrough year in 2013, Wawrinka is playing the best tennis of his life in Melbourne. He knocked out three-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and beat No. 7 Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. He knows how tough it will be to beat Nadal - he's tried and failed 12 times.

"I've played him so many times, and lost so many times, but I'm going to try again," Wawrinka said. "I know what I have to do. I know that I have to play aggressive, serve really well, and try to always push him."

"I'm playing my best tennis here," Wawrinka added. "Physically, I'm ready.".

Nadal says he's ready, too, for a breakthrough at what he calls his unluckiest Grand Slam. Nadal won in Melbourne in 2009 but in subsequent years struggled with injuries during or before the season's first major. He missed the 2013 Australian Open during a seven-month layoff for illness and a knee injury. He returned to win the French and U.S. Open last year but reaching the final in Melbourne holds special significance. (Read full preview)

Rafael Nadal vs Stanislas Wawrinka head-to-head

Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) v Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI x8)

Nadal leads 12-0

2013

World Tour Finals - Nadal 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6)

Shanghai Masters - Nadal 7-6 (12/10), 6-1

French Open - Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-1

Madrid Masters - Nadal 6-2, 6-4

2012

Monte Carlo Masters - Nadal 7-5, 6-4

2010

Shanghai Masters - Nadal 6-4, 6-4

Toronto Masters - Nadal 7-6 (14/12), 6-3

Rome Masters - Nadal 6-4, 6-1

2009

Miami Masters - Nadal 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4)

2007

Paris Masters - Nadal 6-4, 6-3

Stuttgart - Nadal 6-4, 7-5

Australian Open - Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2

Rafael Nadal (Spain, No.1 seed) road to the final:

Round 1 - beat Bernard Tomic (Australia) 6-4, retired

Round 2 - beat Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) 6-2, 6-4, 6-2

Round 3 - beat Gael Monfils (France x25) 6-1, 6-2, 6-3

Round 4 - beat Kei Nishikori (Japan x16) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3)

Quarter-finals - beat Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria x22) 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (9/7), 6-2

Semi-finals - beat Roger Federer (Switzerland x6) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3

Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland, 8th seed)

Round 1 - beat Andrey Golubev (Kazakhstan) 6-4, 4-1 ret

Round 2 - beat Alejandro Falla (Colombia) 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4

Round 3 - beat Vasek Pospisil (Canada, 28th seed) walkover

Round 4 - beat Tommy Robredo (Spain, 17th seed) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5)

Quarter-finals - beat Novak Djokovic (Serbia x2) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7

Semi-finals - beat Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic, 7th seed) 6-3, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4)

Stanislas Wawrinka has emerged from behind the shadow of Roger Federer to claim his own niche in the men's tennis order by reaching the Grand Slam summit at the Australian Open. (Read full story)