Tournament: US Open 2016
Date: 11 September, Sunday
Time: 4am SGT (Monday)/1:30am IST (Monday)/9pm BST
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York
TV Listings
Singapore: Eurosport
Australia: Fox Sports 4
India: Ten Sports
South Africa: SuperSport
UK: Eurosport
US: ESPN
Live Updates: Live Scores can be tracked on US Open's official website
Overview
Novak Djokovic will face Stanislas Wawrinka in the Men's singles final of 2016 US Open at the Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
The defending champion has had an easy passage to the final playing only 14 sets over six rounds after three of his opponents, including quarter-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, retired due to injuries. On the other hand Wawrinka has had tough time closing matches in straight sets except in his first and second rounds.
British youngster Daniel Evans pushed the Swiss to the limits playing out a five-setter in the third round. The third seed also came from behind in his clashes against Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
Wawrinka, who has won ten consecutive finals over the last two years, will face a familiar foe in Djokovic, against whom his head-to-head record reads 4-21. However, he has been able to beat the Serb during his winning campaigns at 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open. Eyeing his third grand slam title, the 31-year-old maintains Djokovic's lack of match practise is not going to change his game on Sunday.
"I am really excited. Really happy to make the final. Something amazing for me. To play Novak, the number player, it is always really challenging. Even if you are playing your best tennis against Novak you can lose. So it's gonna be, I hope, a big match, and hopefully I can keep winning," Wawrinka was quoted as saying by US Open's official website.
"I think the fact he didn't spend too much time on the court compared to myself, I don't think it's gonna change much for what I'm going to do and who I'm going to be."
Djokovic, who was seen struggling with wrist issues in the initial stages of the tournament, revealed he was happy with his draws. He fended off a spirited challenge from Gael Monfils in the semi-final. After taking the first two sets with ease, the top seed conceded the third before closing the match against the Frenchman. Friday's semi-final was only his third completed match in the tournament.
After starting 2016 with Australian Open and French Open titles, Djokovic has suffered agonising exits at the highest level. Notably, the 29-year-old bowed out in the third round of 2016 Wimbledon and lost in opening round at 2016 Rio Olympics. Ahead of the big final, the 12-time grand slam winner is wary of his opponent's ability to step up in crucial matches.
"I haven't played Stan in some time now. He's a big match player. He loves to play on the big stage against big players, because that's when he, I think, elevates his level of performance in his game. Just gets much better," Djokovic said after his semi-final victory.
"I think he was very close to lose in second or third round in this tournament some match points and he was struggling with his form. But the last couple of matches he's getting in that shape that is, you know, winning him big matches.
"I lost to him in finals of French Open and I lost to him in quarterfinals of Australia when he won, as well. So both of these Grand Slam trophies that he has he won against me on the way.
"So I know right now, having two Grand Slam titles and Olympic medal and Davis Cup under his belt, he believes in himself more. He doesn't get, I think, too stressed by the bigger occasion. He actually likes playing in big matches."
It will all boil down to a test of physical strength in Sunday's final as both Wawrinka and Djokovic are known to fight hard until the last point is sealed.
