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Stanislas Wawrinka will have to get past 13-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal if he hopes to win his first ever Australian Open title. Join us for live scores and commentary of the 2014 men’s final from 7.30pm AEDT.
Fresh from once again knocking out great rival Roger Federer in straight sets, Nadal will be heavily favoured to beat another Swiss star in Wawrinka en route to equaling Pete Sampras’ record of 14 grand slam titles.
Nadal was simply superb against Federer two nights ago and will be very difficult to stop tonight if the Spaniard is able to replicate his semi-final form.
Federer came out of the blocks playing aggressive tennis but Nadal still had answers to everything the Swiss master threw at him in a tight first set.
When Federer tried to serve and volley against Nadal, the Spaniard would respond by hitting passing backhand and forehand winners that only he could produce on big points.
In the end, Nadal’s ability to play his best tennis when it mattered proved the key difference against Federer, who produced far too many unforced errors when under pressure.
For Wawrinka to stand a chance of beating Nadal tonight, the Swiss player will simply have to replicate the performance that allowed him to defeat reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
Against Djokovic, Wawrinka played some of the most aggressive tennis seen in the tournament thus far.
Wawrinka’s forehand, which is generally considered inferior to his backhand, has developed in to a fine weapon that is capable of generating plenty of winners for the Swiss player.
Wawrinka’s serve has also been very strong in tight moments. His ability to produce 216-220km first serves on big points was a key factor in his victory over Djokovic.
In short, if Wawrinka serves well and finds his range with the forehand and backhand like he did against Djokovic, tonight’s final should be a very competitive affair.
Nadal however does have experience on his side. The Spaniard knows how to perform on the big stage and he will attempt to overwhelm Wawrinka early on in a bid to get the Swiss star off his game mentally.
The world no. 1 owns a dominant 12-0 head to head record against Wawrinka and is yet to drop a set against the first time grand slam finalist.
If Wawrinka wants to defy history, he will have to keep rallies short and keep himself on the front foot whenever possible against Nadal.
Moreover, the Swiss player really needs to stay calm and not panic whenever Nadal is playing his best tennis. This is easier said than done of course, but Wawrinka has to maintain the belief that he can upset the Spaniard on the game’s biggest stage.
Wawrinka has already proved that if you back yourself, you can beat anyone on the ATP tour, as evidenced by his terrific five set win over Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
If Wawrinka can show up with the same type of intensity and belief tonight, we should be set for a cracking Australian Open final.
Anything less and Nadal will walk away with his second Australian Open title.
Nadal in four sets