Thursday 29 January 2015 19:41, UK
Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka will clash for the third successive year at the Australian Open on Friday, with the winner taking on Andy Murray in the final.
Djokovic beat Wawrinka 12-10 in the fifth set in a fourth-round clash before claiming his third straight title in 2013, but Wawrinka ended the world No 1’s 25-match unbeaten run in the quarter-finals last year, winning 9-7 in the fifth.
Wawrinka went on to defeat Rafael Nadal in the final to claim the first Grand Slam of his career, but the Swiss star has lost 15 of his last 16 matches with Djokovic
"I think for sure it will be funny to play him again," said the 29-year-old. "I will be happy to play him three straight years in a row. We had some crazy matches in Grand Slams in the past.
"You know when you play Novak, especially in a semi-final in a Grand Slam, you have to play your best game. You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I'm playing great. I'm confident with my game."
You know when you play Novak, especially in a semi-final in a grand slam, you have to play your best game. You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him.
Last year’s Australian Open was the first grand slam where Djokovic worked with his coach Boris Becker. The Serb reached the final of the French Open later that year and won Wimbledon, and he hailed Becker’s influence as he attempts to win an eighth Grand Slam title.
"Because he was the No 1 player of the world, multiple Grand Slam winner, he understands exactly the kind of obstacles and challenges, mental challenges, I have to go through and I'm facing during the match, especially in the later stages of tournament," said Djokovic.
"That was the biggest contribution he could bring to me. That's where we talk a lot. It took us some time obviously from the beginning of the partnership to understand how we work, what's the daily routine, what's the mindset because we are different people, but we went through the same circumstances and situations in our careers. That's where he can help me the most."
Djokovic is looking to become just the second man to win more than four Australian Open titles - Roy Emerson won six between 1961 and 1967 - but is taking nothing for granted against Wawrinka.
The fourth seed has dropped just one set in reaching the last four and was particularly impressive in beating US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.
"He played a great match," Djokovic added. "Kei has been playing his best tennis in the last 12 months. To be able to win in straight sets against him is pretty impressive.
"Being the defending champion, obviously he's got some of the pressure here. He is facing this kind of role for the first time in his life. He's been playing some great tennis under the circumstances. Got to give him credit for that.
"I like Stan, respect him a lot. But I'm sure once we're both on the court we both want to win."
