That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along with us. What a fortnight it’s been! Be sure to check Kevin Mitchell’s full match report below:
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“One last thing,” Wawrinka says. “There are many more important things than tennis matches, I want to remember what happened 15 years ago.”
The nod to 9/11 is warmly received by the New York crowd. And then Wawrinka is handed the trophy and lifts it high into the night.
“I don’t know what’s happening right now,” says Wawrinka to open his victory remarks. He then speaks directly to Djokovic: “You’re a great person. A great champion. Because of you I am where am today.”
“I think I played a lot of tennis this week,” he says. “I’m completely empty.”
“You were the more courageous player in the decisive moments,” a gracious Djokovic says during the trophy ceremony. “He’s a great champion. He deserves to win this title, well done.”
He adds that he wasn’t certain he would play the US Open until two weeks before and is happy to have made the final.
Wawrinka wins fourth set and US Open championship!
Fourth set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 3-6 Wawrinka
Djokovic wins the first two points on Wawrinka’s serve and the crowd is really buzzing now! Wawrinka hits a forehand winner for 15-30 then wins another quick point for 30-all. Now a Djokovic unforced error gives Wawrinka a championship point but he saves it for deuce. Wawrinka hits a forehand volley winner to set up another championship point. And this time Djokovic sends a backhand long and Wawrinka takes the title!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 3-5 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Djokovic wins the first point on a forehand winner but then double-faults for 15-all. Then he rattles off three quick points for the hold and Wawrinka will serve for the championship.
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Lots of chatter over Djokovic’s treatment. Here’s an email from Christine Herbert:
Djokovic losing, so its time for a medical time out. Sooooo predictable. Hope Stan can hold his rhythm. Shame how often Djoko gets away with this one. Watch him flow now.
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Fourth set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 2-5 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka holds at love against an obviously compromised Djokovic and he’s now four points from the title. Now Djokovic calls another medical timeout as the trainer is out to inspect the blister once again.
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Fourth set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 2-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
A lightning-quick Djokovic service game as he holds at love. Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s look at Djokovic trainer usage, which will no doubt loom as a major topic of conversation in the aftermath of today’s final.
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Fourth set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 1-4 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka crushes a 109mph ace down the middle for 30-love. He’s won 10 of 11 points on his serve this set. Djokovic pulls back for 30-all. And now he will after a break-point chance after winning a point at the net. Wawrinka saves it with a forehand volley winner – he’s now saved 12 of the 15 break points he’s faced today – but Wawrinka puts a backhand long and Djokovic will have another chance to break. Wawrinka saves it again, but a forehand winner down the line by Djokovic gives him a third chance for a break in this game. And Wawrinka saves it again when Djokovic makes an unforced error from the baseline. Then Wawinka rattles off two quick points for the marathon hold.
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Djokovic has been hobbling for a few games now. Turns out it due to a blister on his toe. He speaks to Wawrinka from his char: “Stan, sorry man. I couldn’t stand it.” A bit of gamesmanship here? Surely he could have called for the trainer during the previous changeover and not right before Wawrinka’s serve, interrupting the brilliant rhythm he’d found only three games from the title.
Now the trainer is out to attend to Djokovic with Wawrinka due to serve. It’s not a changeover, mind. Wawrinka asking tournament referee Brian Earley to explain. “You can see the physio whenever you want?” he says, sarcastically. “Oh, it’s new!”
Fourth set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-6, 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
More pressure on Djokovic’s serve as he makes an unforced error to open the game but reponds with a 118mph ace for 15-all. Then he falls behind 15-30 on another unforced error, this one from the backhand side, before Wawrinka mishits a forehand for 30-all. And now Djokovic double-faults! Another break point for Wawrinka, who is six for nine on break chances today. This time Djokovic comes to net and ends a nine-stroke rally with an overhand smash winner. Deuce. The Djokovic hits a 120mph ace down the middle, but follows it with a double fault to return it to deuce. They trade points for a stretch before Djokovic finally forces Wawrinka into a backhand error for the hold.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-6, 0-3 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka forces Djokovic into an error and then crunches back-to-back aces out wide of 92mph and 105mph. From there a forehand winner gives Wawrinka the emphatic love hold to back up the break.
Wawrinka breaks in second game of fourth set!
Fourth set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-6, 0-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Djokovic hits a 107mph ace out wide, his fourth of the match and first since the opening set. But he makes an unforced error after an 18-stroke rally and then Wawrinka hits a backhand winner for 30-40. Another break-point chance for the Swiss and he wins it! Wawrinka has now converted six of nine break points compared to three of 14 for Djokovic.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka forces Djokovic into a forehand error, then follows with his 12th and 13th backhand winners of the match for 40-love. Djokovic pulls one back but then sends a forehand long and Wawrinka has the comfortable hold.
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Wawrinka breaks in 12th game and wins third set!
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-7 Wawrinka
Djokovic follows a 122mph service winner with another point for 30-all, but he makes an unforced error and then Wawrinka crushes a backhand winner for 30-all. The Swiss is two points from the set. Big serve from Djokovic that Wawrinka can’t return, but Wawrinka fights back for deuce. Now Djokovic misses a backhand long and Wawrinka has set point! The crowd roars and the chair umpire quiets them. Djokovic just misses on a cracking 121mph serve out wide and Wawrinka will have a look at his second effort – and he wins the point by forcing Djokovic into a backhand error from the baseline! Wawrinka is now one set away from taking out the defending champion and capturing a third grand slam title in as many years!
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-6 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka holds from love-15 and 15-30 down winning three straight points. Djokovic now to serve to stay in the third set.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 5-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic caps a love hold with a forehand winner and we’re still on serve in the third.
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka forced Djokovic into an error then hits a pair of winners for 40-all. He mixes in his third double fault of the match and then Djokovic wins another point for 40-30. Now Wawrinka makes a forehand error from the baseline for deuce, but Djokovic nets a forehand and Wawrinka has game point again. Djokovic saves it and they trade points until Wawrinka finally escapes with the hold after a 12-point game, which matches the longest of the match.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 4-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Two quick points for Djokovic followed by a third on a drop-shot winner to cap an 11-stroke rally for 40-love. Wawrinka pulls one back on a forehand winner, but Djokovic takes the next point and the hold. Wawrinka to serve at 4-all.
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
From 30-all, Wawrinka crushes a 110mph ace out wide. He then forces Djokovic to mishit a backhand from the baseline to seal the hold.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 3-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
A stress-free hold for Djokovic, who’s now won three straight games after dropping three in a row. Meanwhile on the world feed, Luke Jensen comments on Wawrinka’s forearm tattoo (“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”). “It’s very German,” the former American pro says. Samuel Beckett weeps.
Updated
Djokovic breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 2-3 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
A chance here for Djokovic as he fights back from 30-0 and 40-15 to force deuce with a couple of quick points. He nets a forehand from the baseline at the end of an 11-shot rally, but a pair of Wawarinka unforced errors off the backhand side give him a break-point chance, his fifth of the set. Wawrinka wipes it out with a big serve, but Djokovic earns a second opportunity for a break when Wawrinka blinks on a 16-stroke exchange. This time Wawrinka nets a forehand and Djokovic has broken! Back on level terms in the third set.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
The crowd swells as the players take their positions at the baselines. Wawrinka wins two quick points – he’s now won six straight on Djokovic’s serve – and the Serb is feeling the heat at love-30 already down a break. An unforced error by Wawrinka followed by a Djokovic overhand winner levels it at 30-all. Now Djokovic crushes a pair of big serves, neither of which Wawrinka can return, to pull out the hold from love-30 down. He’s finally on the board in this third set after 28 minutes.
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 0-3 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
A fifth straight point for Wawrinka for 15-love, but then Wawrinka double-faults and nets a drop shot by the slimmest of margins to fall behind 15-30. A 121mph ace down the T – Wawrinka’s fifth of the match – levels it at 30-all but another unforced error gives Djokovic a chance to break right back at 30-40. Wawrinka saves it when Djokovic nets a backhand from the baseline, but he follows with a forehand winner at the net and a goregeous backhand passing shot as Djokovic comes to net at the end of a 17-stroke rally. A hold for Wawrinka to move halfway to pocketing the third set.
Third set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 0-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic quickly moves ahead 30-love on his serve before Wawrinka pulls one back with that arresting one-handed backhand. Then Djokovic makes another backhand error for 30-all. Now Djokovic comes to net and Wawrinka passes him with a forehand for a break-point opportunity. And Djokovic misses on a backhand volley at the net! Wawrinka has the break and an early 2-love lead in the set!
Third set: *Djokovic 7-6, 4-6, 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
A positive start here for Djokovic as Wawrinka makes a pair of unforced errors from 15-all to gift-wrap a pair of break-point chances. Wawrinka saves the first with a big serve out wide that Djokovic can’t handle and the second with a backhand winner from the baseline that Djokovic challenges unsuccessfully. Wawrinka sets up game point with a big second serve that Djokovic can’t return but another unforced error returns it to deuce. Now Djokovic hits a forehand winner to set up a third break-point opportunity and Wawrinka saves again by forcing Djokovic into an error. He wins the next point for a game point then closes out the nervy hold with a 131mph ace out wide.
Wawrinka breaks and wins second set!
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-6
Djokovic falls behind love-15 and then 15-40 after Wawrinka caps a 20-shot rally with a forehand winner up the line that a sprinting Djokovic can’t reach in time. Two set points for Wawrinka coming up. Djokovic saves the first with a forehand volley winner at the end of a fantastic point, but then Djokovic sprays a forehand wide to give Wawrinka the second set in 47 minutes! It’s a best-of-three match for the US Open championship!
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Second set: Djokovic 7-6, *4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka settles a 13-shot exchange with a cross-court forehand winner, then passes Djokovic with a backhand for 30-love. Wawrinka then hits a pair of serves that Djokovic can’t handle to answer the Serb’s love hold with one of his own. Djokovic will serve to stay in the second set after the players change ends.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 4-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Comfortable hold at love for Djokovic, who consolidates the break for 4-all.
Djokovic breaks in seventh game of second set!
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, *3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka falls behind love-15 but a pair of Djokovic unforced errors on the forehand side make it 30-15. Wawrinka misses a backhand at the end of a 10-stroke rally for 30-all. Now Djokovic rips a backhand winner that Wawrinka challenges unsuccessfully for a break point – and he converts it when Wawrinka hits an unforced error on a forehand from the baseline! Seven of Wawrinka’s unforced errors in the second set have come off forehands, none off the backhand side.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 2-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic not having much luck getting first serves in but he’s grinding away on the second, winning the first three points for 40-love all on second serves. He then completes the love hold to stay within touching distance of Wawrinka. Djokovic has made only six of 18 first serves in the second set (33%) compared to 18 of 33 in the first (55%).
Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 1-4 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Oh dear! Three quick unforced errors by Wawrinka, the second on a double fault, give Djokovic triple break point and a chance to immediately restore the set to level terms. But he brushes all three aside with some big serving, pounds a 115mph ace out wide for game point and then caps a 19-stroke rally with an inside-out forehand winner for the hard-won hold from love-40 down. Five straight points engineered that escape and he’s consolidated the break for a 4-1 lead.
Wawrinka breaks in fourth game of second set!
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic races out to 40-15 but an unforced error followed by a double fault brings it to deuce. Then Wawrinka forces Djokovic into an error for a break-point chance followed by a picturesque one-handed backhand down the line for the break!
Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 1-2 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka races out to leads of 30-love then 40-15. Djokovic pulls one back but Wawrinka forces him into an error for the hold. Only two men in 29 years have won the US Open final after losing the first set: Edberg in 1992 and Del Potro in 2009.
Second set: Djokovic 7-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Djokovic double-faults and Wawrinka has a half-chance at 15-30. A well struck overhand winner by Djokovic makes it 30-all. He then rattles off two quick points for the hold.
Second set: *Djokovic 7-6, 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is a lifetime 51-0 in US Open matches when he takes the first set. Wawrinka falls behind love-15 on his serve but fights back for 30-all. Now he laces a backhand winner then outlasts Djokovic in a lengthy rally for the early hold.
Updated
Djokovic wins first set!
First set tiebreaker: Djokovic 7-1 Wawrinka
The head-to-head does not favor Wawrinka, who has lost 10 of 12 tiebreaks against Djokovic. The world No1 serves to start and forces Wawrinka into an error. Then Djokovic pounces on a Wawrinka second serve to win the point for a mini-break. The Wawrinka outlasts Djokovic on a lengthy rally and finishes it with a forehand volley winner that brings the crowd to their feet! Still down the mini-break as Djokovic serves at 2-1. Gorgeous backhand winner by Djokovic for 3-1 and the capacity crowd roars in approval. This is high-quality stuff. Wawrinka misses on a backhand, then makes an unforced error on his serve for 1-5. He’s down a pair of mini-breaks. Now he makes a 19th unforced error and Djokovic will serve at 6-1 with a handful of set points. He needs only one. Wawrinka makes another unforced error and Djokovic takes the first set in 58 minutes.
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First set: Djokovic 6-6 Wawrinka
Wawrinka falls behind love-15 but forces Djokovic into a pair of forehand errors for 30-15. An off-speed first serve troubles Djokovic and Wawrinka is a point from forcing a tiebreaker. Wawrinka forces Djokovic back with a 134mph serve and wins the point and they’ll settle the opener with a breaker.
First set: Djokovic 6-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic with three quick points for 40-love then Wawrinka gifts him the hold with his 17th unforced error, seven more than Djokovic. The Swiss will now serve to force a first-set tiebreaker.
First set: *Djokovic 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka rattles off three quick ones – he’s won 11 of the last 13 points – for 40-love. Djokovic pulls one back with a forehand smash winner but Wawrinka forces him into an error on the next point to consolidate the break.
Wawrinka breaks in ninth game of first set!
First set: Djokovic 5-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
A pair of errors by Djokovic and Wawrinka has his best look at a break so far at love-30. Another miss by Djokovic and Wawrinka has three break points here. He saves the first with an ace then another when Wawrinka makes another unforced error on the backhand, but now Djokovic double-faults and Wawrinka has broken back and they’re back on level terms in the opener! Djokovic lost more on his serve in this game (four) as he had in the entire set to this point (three).
@BryanAGraham Early in the year Nole was All Blackesque bit of a blip recently but he looks in fine fettle now. Early doors though! SW in 5
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) September 11, 2016
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First set: *Djokovic 5-3 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka with a missed backhand volley to fall behind on serve, but responds with a forehand volley winner for 15-all. Another unforced error on the forehand side for Wawrinka and Djokovic is two points from the set. Djokovic continues to attack the Wawrinka forehand and he blinks again for 15-40, giving Djokovic a pair of set points. He brushes them both aside by forcing Djokovic into a pair of errors for deuce. Wawrinka with a gorgeously struck one-handed backhand winner followed by a forehand winner for the hold. Now Djokovic will try to serve out the first set.
First set: Djokovic 5-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
A wonderful rally here – the point of the match so far – ends when Wawrinka mishits a backhand. Then he quickly rattles off three quick points for the hold at love. Djokovic serving great, having dropped only three points on his serve in the match so far. Zero backhand winners for Wawrinka so far.
First set: *Djokovic 4-2 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka falls behind love-30 on his serve but fights back for 30-all. Another loose point by Djokovic gives Wawrinka game point. Wawrinka called for a foot fault and Djokovic pounces on the second serve with a return up the middle and hits a blistering forehand winner that clocks at 91mph off the ground. Another unforced error by Wawrinka and Djokovic will have a break-point chance, but Wawrinka saves it and lets out a “Come on!” to punctuate the point. Forehand winner by Wawrinka followed by a thudding ace and he holds serve. Elsewhere on the grounds the US Open boys’ final has just ended: Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime is your champion after a 6-0, 6-3 win over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
First set: Djokovic 4-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic mishits a forehand but follows with three quick points for 40-15. Then Wawrinka commits his 11th unforced error to give Djokovic the comfortable hold.
First set: *Djokovic 3-1 Wawrinka (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka follows a forehand winner with a backhand volley winner, then forces Djokovic into an error for 40-love. Wawrinka makes another unforced error but wins the next point for a much-needed easy hold.
First set: Djokovic 3-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic hits an ace and forehand smash winner before forcing Wawrinka into an error, then another ace for the love hold to back up the break. So much for the hand-wringing over Djokovic’s serve. He’s off the mark quickly here.
Djokovic breaks in second game of first set!
First set: Djokovic 2-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
What a rally on the first point! Wawrinka blinks for love-15, but a Djokovic unforced error makes it 15-all. Wawrinka crunches a 129mph ace before another unforced error by Djokovic sets up game point for the Swiss. But three straight unforced errors by Wawrinka set up the first break-point chance of the afternoon followed by a fourth to give Djokovic the break of serve.
First set: Djokovic 1-0 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic to serve first. Gorgeous conditions on court: 83F and 37% humidity. Wawrinka loses the opening point on an unforced error from the backhand side but pulls one back by forcing Djokovic into a miscue on the forehand side. Now Wawrinka wins a point for 15-30 and a hint of pressure for Djokovic in the opening game. Another unforced error makes it 30-all, then Wawrinka makes an error on a booming 122mph serve for 40-30. An unforced error by Wawrinka gives Djokovic the hold.
Wawrinka has spent more than nearly twice as much time on court as Djokovic on their paths to today’s final. Djokovic spent eight hours, 58 minutes in playing 13 completed sets, while Wawrinka played 17 hours, 54 minutes over 23 sets.
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Wawrinka saved match point in a third-round win over Britain’s Dan Evans. He is looking to become the first US Open to have saved a match point since Novak Djokovic, who won the 2011 title after saving a pair of match points against Roger Federer in a gripping five-set semi-final.
Djokovic is playing in his sixth US Open final in seven years and seventh overall. He’s looking to become the first back-to-back winner at Flushing Meadows since Roger Federer won the last of his five straight in 2007 and 2008. He can also capture a third grand slam title in one season for the third time in his career (after doing it in 2011 and 2015). Only one other player has won three majors in a season on three separate occasions: Federer.
It’s been quite a run for the 29-year-old Serb. He’s now made it to 19 of the last 25 major finals with an 11-7 record on those matches. But he entered the season-ending grand slam with questions surrounding his mental and physical fitness, and a run to the today’s final that included three wins by default did little to dispel them.
Wawrinka is looking extend a 10-match winning streak in finals that’s established him as one of the finest big-match players of this era. It’s a run that includes his breakthrough victories at the 2014 Australian Open and the French Open last year, where he stopped Djokovic’s bid for a career grand slam dead in its tracks.
Wawrinka expounded his knack for playing his best on the sport’s biggest stages after Friday’s semi-final win over Kei Nishikori:
Because the biggest matches, it’s the end of the tournament. Final, semifinal, and I had matches to get confidence to play well match after match.
Yes, I know I have some up and down during the year. I’m not playing my best tennis in every tournament, but I’m trying to work as hard as I can to give me the chance to play well every time I step on the court.
And in grand slam is where I want to play my best tennis. Is where I want to be the better player. Always find a way to find my game and to put everything together.
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for today’s US Open men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. Anyone who follows the men’s tour knows these two have made for one of the most reliably entertaining matchups of this generation. They’ve met six times previously in grand slam play with four of those matches extending the five-set distance, none more memorable than their five-hour quarter-final epic at the 2013 Australian Open, which Djokovic won 12-10 in the fifth.
Now they meet again in Queens with Djokovic trying for a 13th grand slam title and Wawrinka going for his third major title in many years.
Bryan will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s how the women’s final unfolded on Saturday.
Angelique Kerber was on the ropes in the third and deciding set of Saturday’s US Open final, having fallen behind a break against the big-serving Czech Karolina Pliskova.
But the second-seeded German fought back, showing the finishing kick of a champion in winning 24 of the last 34 points, and breaking Pliskova twice to seal a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory for her first US Open championship and second grand slam title of the year.
After Pliskova pounded a forehand long on championship point, Kerber collapsed in a heap on the baseline. Then she climbed into the players’ box to embrace her coach Torben Beltz as the roars cascaded down from the promenade at the world’s largest tennis stadium.
The 28-year-old German, who was already due to supplant Serena Williams as the world No1 when ’s rankings are released, backed up that mantle by outlasting Pliskova over 2hr 7min at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She will become the oldest player to make her debut atop the rankings, besting a mark previously held by Jennifer Capriati by three years.
You can read the full story below:
