Wawrinka battles past Berdych
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Stanislas Wawrinka will bid to break the “Big Four” strangle-hold on grand slam silverware after edging Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-7 (1) 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) in a serving war yesterday to reach the Australian Open final.
In a slow-burning contest that occasionally roared to life, the Swiss eighth seed stepped up on big points on a tense night at Rod Laver Arena, reaching his first major final where he will meet either Rafael Nadal or compatriot Roger Federer.
With only a single break of serve in the match, Wawrinka upped the ante in the decisive tiebreak, earning three match points when his opponent pushed a serve long.
Wawrinka closed out the match with a monster 214kph serve that whistled into Berdych’s body, sparking a huge roar from the center court crowd.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless. It’s amazing,” Wawrinka said after throwing a triumphant stare at his player’s box and pointing to his head.
“I’m working every day to try to win matches, I didn’t expect to make a final in a grand slam so I’m just really happy.
“I played really aggressive. It’s important against him to take the advantage as soon as you can to take the rallies.”
The win continued Wawrinka’s fairy-tale run at Melbourne Park, having ended Novak Djokovic’s three-year reign in a five-set quarterfinal classic.
Wawrinka faced Berdych with queries over his fitness but was switched on from the start, and struck the first blow by breaking in the eighth game.
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