Melbourne, Jan 23: Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka reached his first Grand Slam final after edging out Tomas Berdych in four tight sets at the Australian Open today.
The eighth seed beat the Czech 6-3, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) in three hours 31 minutes and will play either Rafael Nadal or fellow Swiss Roger Federer in Sunday’s final.
Wawrinka, who upset three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, will supplant his close friend Federer as the Swiss number one unless the 17-time Grand Slam champion wins the title. Federer has held the top Swiss ranking since 2001.
“I feel great. It’s amazing. I didn’t expect to make a final in a Grand Slam in my career. Tonight it’s happening, so I’m really happy,” Wawrinka said.
“I’ve been working really hard for many years, trying to improve my game, trying to get some big matches in a big stadium. Now I’m in the first final in a Grand Slam, so I can be only really happy.”
Wawrinka said he was in the best form of his career and was better at handling the pressure.
“Last year I had the feeling that I was playing better, but I was also dealing better with the pressure,” he said.
“I’m more mature. I’m 28 now. I’ve been on the tour for 10 years. Now I feel that it’s my time to play my best tennis.
“I’m enjoying more what I’m doing, when I’m winning, and also maybe I know more how to deal with all the pressure.”
Wawrinka didn’t lose serve and only had one break point against him as big-serving Berdych dished up seven double-faults with three of them, crucially, in the third and fourth set tiebreakers. (Agencies)
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