STANISLAS WAWRINKA IS targeting the world number one spot after lifting his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday.
Wawrinka recorded a 6-3 6-3 2-6 6-3 win over Rafael Nadal in two hours 25 minutes, a result that will move him into third place in the rankings, when officially released on Monday.
A back injury to Nadal in the second set saw the top seed hampered in his movement for the remainder of the match, but Wawrinka refused to let it disrupt his momentum and completed the win thanks to a strong showing on serve.
The 28-year-old, who replaces Roger Federer as Swiss number one, was always confident going into the match despite having failed to take a set off Nadal in any of their previous meetings.
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“I had confidence, it’s been an amazing event for me,” he said.
“I came onto court believing in myself. I had to play the best game I had for the chance to beat Rafa.
“I was a little surprised to win the first set, but I ended up enjoying it all a lot.
“In the fourth (set) I focused on myself, on the ball and playing aggressively, I needed to take control and not wait for his errors, which I did in the third set. I was more aggressive and that’s how I won it.
“Serving for the match there were a lot of things in my head. I had new balls so I had to worry about that. I knew how I wanted to take the match and I did it.
“I’m number three now but my career has gone with my own rhythm. My goal right now is not to be number one. I take it step by step. I want to enjoy this a little bit.”
Eugene Hoshiko/AP/Press Association Images
Wawrinka did have some sympathy for his opponent after the Spaniard’s injury, and hopes Nadal’s season is not affected too much by the problem.
“This is not the way I want to win a match but in a grand slam final you have to take it,” he added. “It was tough for both of us.
“I hope it’s not too bad for him, he’s a good friend, I hope it will be fine and he will be back soon.”
'Not the way I want to win, but in a Grand Slam you take it' -- Wawrinka
STANISLAS WAWRINKA IS targeting the world number one spot after lifting his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday.
Wawrinka recorded a 6-3 6-3 2-6 6-3 win over Rafael Nadal in two hours 25 minutes, a result that will move him into third place in the rankings, when officially released on Monday.
A back injury to Nadal in the second set saw the top seed hampered in his movement for the remainder of the match, but Wawrinka refused to let it disrupt his momentum and completed the win thanks to a strong showing on serve.
The 28-year-old, who replaces Roger Federer as Swiss number one, was always confident going into the match despite having failed to take a set off Nadal in any of their previous meetings.
“I had confidence, it’s been an amazing event for me,” he said.
“I came onto court believing in myself. I had to play the best game I had for the chance to beat Rafa.
“I was a little surprised to win the first set, but I ended up enjoying it all a lot.
“Serving for the match there were a lot of things in my head. I had new balls so I had to worry about that. I knew how I wanted to take the match and I did it.
“I’m number three now but my career has gone with my own rhythm. My goal right now is not to be number one. I take it step by step. I want to enjoy this a little bit.”
Wawrinka did have some sympathy for his opponent after the Spaniard’s injury, and hopes Nadal’s season is not affected too much by the problem.
“This is not the way I want to win a match but in a grand slam final you have to take it,” he added. “It was tough for both of us.
“I hope it’s not too bad for him, he’s a good friend, I hope it will be fine and he will be back soon.”
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