World number eight Stanislas Wawrinka admitted that he never expected reaching a final in a Grand Slam knowing that he had to contend with the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
On Thursday night, Wawrinka found himself earning a ticket in the AUstralian Open 2014 final after eliminating Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the semifinals. Wawrinka was responsible in eliminating three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
The 28-year old Swiss number two participated in 36 Grand Slam tournaments before reaching this stage, which is the second most in the Open Era list, just behind David Ferrer who reached his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros a year ago, his 42nd Slam appearance.
“It was tough for me to put it as a goal to make the final in a Grand Slam,” Wawrinka said, “especially with the players there, with Novak, with Rafa, with Roger, with Andy. In the past it was really difficult, so it wasn’t a goal. It was more like we knew I had the level to beat the top players, but to be in the final you have to do it again and again.
“I didn’t expect to make the final. I didn’t come here thinking, ‘Oh, maybe it will be amazing to make the final.’ For me, I was really far from that. I always tried to improve, I always tried to win every match, I always go on court to try to beat my opponent, and that’s what I did during the whole tournament here.”
Wawrinka will now wait another day to determine who will be his opponent in the final. A highly anticipated semifinal match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will take place on Friday, January 24.
“I don’t know how I will feel for my first final,” Wawrinka said. “I’m enjoying all that’s happening here. I’m playing great tennis. I know that I’m going to feel ready physically because I have two days off to be ready for the final.
“The most important [thing] is that my game is there. [I made the final] because I beat Berdych tonight; I won against Novak also. I had some great matches. So that means I have the level to be there.
“I’m taking confidence from my level in general. I know that I’m playing my best tennis. I’m moving well. I’m really aggressive. I’m serving well. I always find a solution. I will see. I will watch the match tomorrow and see how I’m going to play on Sunday.”
