Wawrinka outlasts defending champion Djokovic

Melbourne, Jan 21 (IANS) Eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland beat defending champion Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7 to reach the semi-finals at the Australian Open here Tuesday.

A year ago, Djokovic prevailed over Wawrinka in a fourth-round match that ended 12-10 in the fifth set and went five hours and two minutes. Their semi-final match at the US Open in September was another max-distance five-setter but consumed a more modest four hours and nine minutes.

Wawrinka took four hours to eliminate the three-time champion to whom the Swiss had lost 14 straight career meetings. Wawrinka also ended Djokovic’s 25-match winning streak at the Melbourne Park.

“Last year it was really tough. But this year I came back. I was not feeling great at the beginning. I am really, really, really happy. He is an amazing champion and kept coming back. I was really focused and feeling great on the court. I always fight, I always try. I was cramping. It is never easy,” said Wawrinka.

Wawrinka will meet Tomas Berdych in the semi-finals.

“Berdych is a dangerous player with his service and baseline play. I will be ready, though,” said Wawrinka.