Andy Murray vs Stan Wawrinka
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World No. 1 Andy Murray is up against third seed Stan Wawrinka – and one glaring difference separates the two on this ground – the fact that Wawrinka is a former French Open winner. The Swiss No. 3 is also in the better form of late, and recently won a third Grand Slam title at the US Open. He continued that form into the 2017 season – culminating in an epic semi-final battle against eventual champion Roger Federer at the Australian Open, and following that up with a finals finish at Indian Wells.
Murray leads this head-to-head record 10-7, but Wawrinka has won three of their last 5 matches. The Swiss has also been more successful on clay than his counterpart, although at their last clay meeting – interestingly, also at the semi-finals of Roland Garros, in 2016, it was Murray who won in four sets.
Wawrinka is also among the most mentally resilient players on court. After being seriously taxed by mercurial talent Gael Monfils earlier in the French Open, Wawrinka held out in the first two sets before firmly thundering to a straight sets win in the third by a decisive margin. He has defeated Novak Djokovic to win two of his three Grand Slams – the French Open in 2015 and the US Open last year.
Let’s also look at the stats – Wawrinka beat a fit Rafael Nadal to his own first ever Grand Slam final, and he’s never been a slouch on clay. And for whatever scores of tennis watchers might say, Wawrinka’s backhand returns and his quick court movement are not only entertaining but a strong display of his talent. Some of the Swiss ace’s shots are just that – talent that cannot necessarily be taught.
As it stands, funnily enough, Wawrinka is closer to a career Grand Slam than WorldNo. 1 Andy Murray, who has the same number of titles. I’m likely to give this one to Wawrinka based on current form. Although we’ve seen Murray’s aggression and fighting spirit return, his game is sitll not a 100% – he’s dropped three sets so far in the tournament, against players far out of the top 10, and four have gone to tiebreak – including one against Martin Klizan.
Wawrinka is yet to drop a set in the tournament, in contrast, and has won convincingly over three seeded players – two of whom are very strong on clay.
The Swiss is looking set for another Grand Slam final, and we think he might well be a contender.
Prediction: Stan Wawrinka in four sets
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
