French Open 2016: Murray and Djokovic to meet in final
June 3, 2016
Murray ended Wawrinka's reign as Roland Garros champion with a controlled 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win and is the first British man to make the French Open final since 1937.
In doing so, he also became the 10th man in the Open era, since 1968, to reach the final at all four Grand Slam events. The 29-year-old Scot has improved on clay of late but said he had to be at his best to beat his Swiss opponent.
"I knew today that if I wanted to win I would have to play one of my best claycourt matches. Stan's record here the last couple of years is unbelievable," Murray said.
"I am extremely proud. I never expected to reach the final here. I always struggled on clay, but in the last few years I have had some of my best results (on clay)."
Murray got off to the better start, breaking serve in the third game. That proved to be enough for him to claim the first set in a hotly-disputed 10th game where Wawrinka had break points to level.
He took the second set convincingly before Wawrinka pulled one back in the third. But Murray re-asserted his dominance in the fourth set, breaking in the first game and not looking back.
Djokovic's task always seemed more straightforward, and so it proved. The Serb faced 13th seed Thiem, of Austria, and was rarely threatened as he strolled to a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win to reach his 20th Grand Slam final. Djokovic was delighted with his performance.
"This was my best match of the tournament," he said. "It was played at a high standard and there were lots of good moments for me.
"I'm working all year to reach another French Open final and now I'm here, I just hope I can continue the form through one more match."
World number 1 Djokovic only needs the French Open to complete the career Grand Slam. Sunday's two 29-year-old finalists have already played each other in six Grand Slam finals with Djokovic winning four times in Australia and Murray emerging on top at the US Open and Wimbledon.
mp (AFP)