US Open 2016: Djokovic vs. Wawrinka best odds & free tips

AFTER one of the most bizarre Grand Slam tournaments in living memory, Swiss powerhouse Stan Wawrinka and Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic will compete for US Open glory.

The world number one Djokovic has not looked at his peak throughout the entire two weeks at Flushing Meadows, battling shoulder and wrist complaints – yet he still finds himself in a Grand Slam final.

Djokovic overcame Frenchman Gael Monfils in a four set match that was the strangest contests Arthur Ashe Stadium has ever seen.

The number one seed looked to be in control for the majority of the match, but he dropped the fourth set and uncharacteristically allowed his frustration to slip through, tearing his shirt.

The Frenchman doubled over for stages, took toilet breaks and even drank a coke at one change of ends.

Monfils insists his tactics were deliberate.

“Definitely I tried to get into his head,” Monfils said.

“There’s not only one way to play tennis. When the guy is hitting clean and you’re not serving good and I wasn’t returning good, you just show him.

“You stand in the middle of the court. Start to double fault a little bit.”

Djokovic was able to overcome his opponent after regathering his composure for a shot at a third US Open title.

The world number one said the weather was oppressive for both players.

“The conditions were different from most of the days during the tournament but it was the same for both players,” said Djokovic.

“We expected it – we heard it would be warm and humid.”

Who would have thought Wawrinka would have a shot at the career-slam five years ago?

The man best known as Roger Federer’s compatriot now has the opportunity to win three of the four Grand Slams.

The number three seed qualified for the final after defeating Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Friday night.

Nishikori’s five set win over Andy Murray seemed to take its toll as Wawrinka controlled the rallies to advance to his third ever Grand Slam tournament final.

Wawrinka said he just had to bide his time and wait for his opponent to run out of gas.

“Kei is a tough player and he played well from the beginning,” Wawrinka said.

“I had to wait and fight and make him a bit uncomfortable and he started to get tired.

“That is when I put my game to be aggressive. To be in the final is something crazy.”

Match preview

The two men that met in last year’s French Open final clash on the hardcourt in New York to determine who will win the last Grand Slam of the season.

Will it be two-time champion Djokovic, who is searching for his 13th ever Slam title, or will it be Wawrinka, a man who has come from the clouds to have a shot at winning three of the four major tournaments on the tour?

History bodes well for Wawrinka.

Not only does the Swiss heavy hitter have a perfect Grand Slam final record (2-0) but he also possesses a sensational, fast-paced ground stroke game that is suited perfectly to the hardcourts of Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic is a wounded man.

The world number one has looked sluggish throughout the tournament and has a number of aliments that he has been battling.

In the semi-final against Monfils, Djokovic looked a shell of himself at times, struggling to battle through a shoulder injury which impacted his ability to generate any real power through his swing.

It is a testament to his talent and determination that he made it through to the final.

However, we think the toll of a tough tournament will weigh heavily on Djokovic, and Wawrinka’s power game will test out just how durable his shoulder and wrist are.

We are backing Wawrinka to continue his amazing Grand Slam final record on Sunday, Djokovic is too beaten up and the Swiss man will exploit that to his advantage.

Suggested bet: Wawrinka to win (+240 with Bovada.lv)