Stanislas Wawrinka waking up to ‘crazy’ breakthrough triumph .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’>>’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px} .cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0} .captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1} .cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none} .cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px} ]]> Stanislas Wawrinka savors the moment of victory in Melbourne after recording a dramatic victory over world no. 1 Rafael Nadal. Rafael Nadal was looking to equal Pete Sampras’ haul of 14 major titles in Melbourne on Sunday. Almost everyone expected him to do it, but it was Wawrinka who looked the sharper player in the opening exchanges. Soon Wawrinka was edging ahead, breaking Nadal’s serve in the fourth game. With a break secured, Wawrinka went on to assume full control of the first set eventually winning it 6-3. Nadal received a time violation warning from umpire Carlos Ramos early on in the second set. Soon after, Nadal was clutching his back and calling for the trainer. The trainer arrived with Wawrinka up 1-2 in the second. Soon Nadal was heading off court for a medical timeout. When he returned, Nadal was moving around so gingerly that it looked almost certain that he was going to retire. His frustrations evident to all. Nadal continued to receive treatment at changeover of ends as Wawrinka coasted to a two-set lead. Most of the crowd were expecting Nadal to crumble completely or concede in the third, but slowly his movements became more fluid. Suddenly he was 3-0 up. Nadal’s improving form rattled Wawrinka who despite rallying in the third still lost it 6-3. A tight opening to the fourth suggested Nadal might pull off an incredible fightback, but Wawrinka steadied his head and held his nerve. After breaking Nadal in the eighth game he was suddenly serving for the championship. Any nerves Wawrinka was feeling weren’t immediately obvious and he served out the match to love to claim his first grand slam title. Nadal was gracious in defeat. It was the first time in 13 matches that the Spaniard had lost to the Swiss. “Bad luck was against me today but you really deserved it so congratulations,” Nadal, wiping away tears, told the crowd post match. “Sorry to finish this way. I tried very, very hard.” Wawrinka’s joy is complete. The 28-year-old kisses the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup as flashbulbs pop all around the Rod Laver Arena. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Follow us at @WorldSportCNN and like us on Facebook (CNN) — This is not how Stanislas Wawrinka dreamed it would go. He hadn’t dared to imagine beating the two finest players in men’s tennis to become a grand slam champion. The unassuming Swiss hadn’t even pictured climbing to No. 3 in the world rankings. Wawrinka wins his first Grand Slam Li Na wins ‘dream’ trophy Eclipsing his decorated compatriot Roger Federer as Switzerland’s top tennis player had never crossed his mind either. But that was before Sunday, before Wawrinka beat Rafael Nadal in four sets to become the Australian Open champion. “I never Read more here The post Stanislas Wawrinka waking up to ‘crazy’ breakthrough triumph appeared first on Nigeria Newsline.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:15:17 +0000