Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka (Image: twitter)
In the 2015 French Open Rafael Nadal was surprisingly not the favourite for the 1st time since 2006. The then World Number 1 Novak Djokovic was backed by everybody to lift the title and complete his Career Grand Slam.
Stan Wawrinka, the mercurial Swiss however had other ideas. Wawrinka faced a hard draw and had to beat many players whose favorite surface was Clay. In the 4th round, Stan was up against Frenchman Giles Simon. It was expected to be a close contest on paper but Wawrinka dominated from start to finish, winning in straight sets.
In India: Politics & Entertainment
The Quarterfinal was a battle of the Swiss greats as Wawrinka took on the Great Roger Federer. Stan dictated terms from the baseline outmaneuvering his Davis Cup partner and winning again in 3 sets.
Another Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga was waiting in the semifinals. In a match that lasted 4 sets, Wawrinka was better in crucial movements and came out victorious. He now faced the tournament favorite Novak Djokovic in the finals.
Djokovic had handed Rafael Nadal his 1st straight sets defeat at the French Open. However, in the semis he had to dig deep against an inspired Andy Murray in a match that lasted 5 sets. The Serb however managed to come on top.
In the finals, Novak though seemingly exhausted was a heavy favorite. He reaffirmed his status by winning the 1st set. Then something started that no one had expected. In the next 2 hours Wawrinka would not give Djokovic an inch.
He served beautifully, hit winner after winner and used his ever reliable backhand to perfection. Every person at Philippe Chatrier was left stunned including Djokovic. The Swiss Star took home the Roland Garros trophy, denying Djokivic his dream.
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image: twitter)
The Serbian Great had a history of heartbreaks at the French Open. His dreams were crushed by Nadal in 2012 and 2014 finals. In 2015, the Serb would bury his ghosts and defeat the Spaniard in the Quarterfinals. But he again went onto to lose the final to an inspired Stan Wawrinka.
Novak came to Roland Garros 2016 in the form of his life and also holding the other 3 Grand Slams. It was now or never for the Serb. Djokovic raced to the finals at the loss of just 1 set.
In India: Politics & Entertainment
However on the other side a threat was looming for the Serb. Rafael Nadal was again looking as the King of Clay and raced through his first two matches. Djokovic however had a huge stroke of luck when Nadal decided to retire from the tournament before the 3rd round due to a wrist injury.
In the finals Djokovic faced a familiar foe in Britain’s Andy Murray. The Brit took the 1st set leaving the crowd in deep thoughts. Djokovic had to do it the hard way and he now brought out the best in himself.
The next 3 sets were an amazing display of clay court tennis. Murray tried hard to wither the storm but Djokovic was not to be denied his date with destiny. He won the match in 4 sets and completed his long pending dream.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer (Image: facebook)
By 2009 Federer was a 5 time Wimbledon Champion, 5 time US Open Champion and 3 time Australian Open Winner. Yet the dream of being a Roland Garros champion was proving elusive for the great Swiss.
He had lost to Rafael Nadal in 3 finals and a Semifinal in the past 4 years. Being beaten by the Spaniard in Wimbledon 2008 and Australian Open 2009, Federer seemed to have little hopes of downing Nadal on the Clay of Roland Garros.
In India: Politics & Entertainment
But in the 4th round, the French crowd saw something unimaginable. Robin Soderling the flamboyant Swedish player dethroned the King of Clay in 4 sets. It was the first time Nadal faced a defeat in Paris. Later it would come out that Rafa was suffering from tendonitis in both knees. The Spaniard pulled out of Wimbledon in 2009 because of the same problem.
However as Nadal packed his bags, Federer was looking to follow. The Swiss was down under the barrel of 2 sets deficit in his 4th round match against German Tommy Haas. Roger however was determined not to give up so easily. He dug deep to take the next 3 sets and book a Quarterfinal seat for himself.
Federer would have to come out of another 5 set thriller against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the Semifinals. The Swiss again displayed stoic determination to come out victorious after being 2 sets to 1 down.
Federer would face Nadal’s vanquisher Robin Soderling in the Final. This time however the Swiss was determined not to finish second. He brought out every shot in his armory and gave Soderling a clay court lesson.
In 3 straight sets Roger managed to win the finals. In was a scene of raw emotions from a Champion who finally had what he deserved for so long