Firstly, it’s going to be a little weird not watching Rafael Nadal appearing in this final.

Congratulations to Novak Djokovic for beating Andy Murray 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1 in a Roland Garros semi-final that lasted over two days due to a rain delay and fading light. It was not easy especially when you facing an opponent coming back to draw at 2 sets all. I really admire Novak's mental toughness and concentration in this tournament. He is such a tough fighter.

Novak will definitely go into this final match feeling very confident after a good run in Paris, and a great start to the year (41-2). But Stan Wawrinka is a strong, physical player that possesses the specific weapons to derail this final, and win his second Grand Slam.

Quoted from the ATP website, "He's been amazing so far this year winning every big title, playing his best test tennis ever," Wawrinka said after a semi-final victory over home hope Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. "But he's never won Roland Garros.

"Maybe he's going to play his best tennis and beat me in straight sets. But I know we have been having some big fights on the hard courts. We played I think only four years ago on a clay court, in Rome 2011, which was when he was winning everything also. It can be really interesting.

"I know that he's not always happy to play me when I can play my game. When I can play my aggressive game he's not feeling his best normally. So I will have to focus on myself and try to bring my 'A' game.

According to Craig O'Shannessy, a strategy analyst, Wawrinka will clearly have to lift in five key areas if he is to cause the upset.

Here are his analysis.

"Too many double faults. Life is tough enough already with Novak on the other side of the court.

1st Serve % too low. At 50%, the exposure to the 2nd serve is deadly.

2nd Serve Points Won. Because there will probably be a lot of them, it’s tough for Stan to win more than half.

Forehand Unforced Errors. This is his main weapon to attack. It can’t be hurting him at the same time.

Backhand Forced Errors. You know Novak loves BH to BH. This can’t break down.

It’s tough to improve in one or two areas of your game overnight. It’s a monstrous task to do it in five.

Novak has all the form to win this match, probably in three or four sets. With that said, nobody in the draw possesses the right weapons more than Stan to cause the upset.

Stan better be clutch, super positive, convert almost all break points, and keep points as short as he possibly can if he is to to stand a chance in this match. Novak just needs to be Novak."

Did You Know?
Having won the 2015 Australian Open, Djokovic is looking to become the first man in 23 years to hold the first two legs of the calendar Grand Slam. Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) are the only two players to have achieved the feat.

Wawrinka is bidding to become the first former Roland Garros boys’ champion (2003) to win the men's title since Mats Wilander in 1988. Only five of the 68 different Roland Garros boys’ champions have gone on to win the men's singles title.

What do you think? Share with me your thoughts on the finals. I will look forward to hear from you.

To your tennis success,

Joel
Founder,
www.improve-your-tennis.com

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