Djokovic and Wawrinka Set Up Australian Open Semifinal Clash

January 28, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

The reigning champion at the Australian Open Stan Wawrinka continued his run to defend that title on Wednesday, defeating fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) to advance to the final four in Melbourne.

“I think I’m playing better [than last year],” said Wawrinka. “But I think we all improve every year. I’m more aggressive. I’m more confident with my game when I come to the net. Today was a great level, it was a great match.”

Wawrinka was by far the aggressor in the quarters Wednesday as he consistently came to the net and kept Nishikori back behind the baseline. While Nishikori is one of the best defensive players on the tour, it is nearly impossible to win when playing behind the line for long stretches at a time.

The world number four got things going early. After both players held to start the match, Wawrinka got the first break point and followed it up with a hold to take a 4-1 opening set lead. He would go on to serve out the set and get the early edge. Wawrinka did not allow a break point chance in the frame and took advantage of 13 unforced errors from Nishikori.

In the second, each player held in their first two service games for a 2-2 tie. Just like in the first, Wawrinka jumped ahead by notching the first break point which allowed him to serve out the remainder of the set. He gave Nishikori three break point chances which could have tipped the scales, but the world number five was not able to seize the opportunity.

Nishikori took a 2-0 advantage to start the third set but allowed Wawrinka to break back in the third game. Each player would hold serve for the remainder of the set to take it into a tiebreak. The Swiss took a 4-0 advantage in the breaker but lost five match points as Nishikori refused to go away quietly.

At 6-6 in the tiebreak, Wawrinka ripped an ace that Nishikori could not handle and closed out the straight-set win in two hours and four minutes.

Nishikori was disappointed in his performance but credited Wawrinka for forcing him into some bad play.

“I was struggling with my serve…I couldn’t get good rhythm in the first and second set,” said Nishikori. “He played really aggressive, great tennis. Mentally I was fine, I was ready to go. But he was a little bit better today.”

Wawrinka moves into the final four and will take on world number one Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated in the quarterfinals on his way to the trophy a year ago.

Djokovic knocked off big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in his match Wednesday, continuing his streak of straight-set wins in Melbourne. The Serb outlasted Raonic in a tiebreak in the opening set before rolling in the next two for a 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 victory.

“I’m a self-critic, but tonight there was not much I could complain about,” said Djokovic. “From the first game until the last, I played the way I wanted. I feel very good about my game at the moment.”

Djokovic got off to a slow start in the first set, committing nine unforced errors as he withstood eight aces from Raonic. He would escape the first set in a tiebreak to take the one set advantage.

From there, Djokovic was on his game. He did not allow a single break point opportunity in the final two sets and broke Raonic three times.

“It was a close first set, but I thought I had more chances in the first set than him,” said Djokovic. “Managed to stay tough in the right moments and win the crucial first set. Obviously winning it in a tiebreak and making the break of serve in the first game of the second set was definitely huge really for me. I could start swinging through a little bit more, be more aggressive into the court. After that first game of the second set I played a great match.”

Djokovic leads the all-time series between him and Wawrinka 16-3. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
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