“CRAZY” POTENTIAL FOR NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS. STAN WAWRINKA SF

Written by: Staff on 30th January 2015

“CRAZY” POTENTIAL FOR NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS. STAN WAWRINKA SF

epa04594372 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-finals match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 30 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournamentruns until 01 February 2015. EPA/MADE NAGI |

As Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka ready for their semi-final match Friday evening under the lights on Rod Laver Arena, expectations are high.

Not only are both players in top form, having torn through their respective Australian Open draws, but they have also provided show-stopping performances in Melbourne over the past two years.

“Obviously I’m going to play Stan, who is the defending champion here,” Djokovic said. “We played five-set matches in the 2013 and ’14 Australian Opens. I’m going to be ready for a fight.”

In his 25th Grand Slam semi-final appearance, Djokovic is looking to extend his eight-match win streak over Top 10 players. He will equal Stefan Edberg and Roger Federer’s Open Era record for the most Australian Open final appearances (5) with a win over the Swiss.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Gilles Mueller of Luxembourg in their fourth round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs until 01 February 2015. EPA/Filip Singer

In 2014, it was Wawrinka who ended the World No. 1’s streak of 14 consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearances, defeating the Serb in a grueling five-set quarter-final Down Under.

Armed with a 16-3 FedEx ATP Head2Head series record over Wawrinka, Djokovic is well prepared for what he’ll face on Friday.

“Grand Slams are the tournaments where you want to perform your best,” said the 27-year-old Djokovic, who has not dropped a set thus far in Melbourne. “I’m sure [Stan and I] are both are very much aware of that fact, and it’s why we get to play on a high level against each other, and we push each other to the limit in a way.”

Wawrinka comes into the match carrying a streak of his own. The World No. 4 has won 10 straight matches to kick off the season, with his last loss coming against Federer in the semi-finals at the 2014 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. At 29 years and 310 days, Wawrinka could become the oldest man to reach the Australian Open final since Andre Agassi (32 years and 272 days) in 2003 if he tops Djokovic on Friday.

Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland warms up during a practice session ahead of his semi finals match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 30 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs until 01 February 2015. EPA/Barbara Walton

“I think it will be funny to play him again,” Wawrinka said. “I will be happy to play him three straight years in a row. We had some crazy matches in the Grand Slams in the past.

“You know when you play Novak, especially in the semi-final in a Grand Slam, you have to play your best game. You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him.”

After winning his maiden major one year ago, Wawrinka seems immune to the expectations that often come with a career breakthrough.

“As I said before the tournament, I don’t feel pressure by defending the title because I don’t come here to defend it; I come here as a new challenge, a new Grand Slam.”

The winner will face World No. 6 Andy Murray in the championship match.

(Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/01/4/Australian-Open-Friday-Djokovic-Wawrinka-Preview.aspx )

Topics: Atp, Australian Open, Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, Semifinals, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

January 30, 2015 at 7:39 am

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