An Australian Open that began in a heatwave and contained seismic shocks aplenty ended with Stanislas Wawrinka defeating Rafa Nadal to further undermine the superiority of the so-called big four in men`s tennis.
Stanislas Wawrinka has emerged from behind the shadow of Roger Federer to claim his own place in the men`s tennis order by winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Stanislas Wawrinka took Australian Open fans to task on Sunday after sections of the crowd booed Rafael Nadal for taking a medical timeout during the dramatic men`s singles final.
Stanislas Wawrinka admitted he was surprised he won the Australian Open and wondered if he was dreaming after his surprise victory over an injury-hit Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
A devastated Rafael Nadal wiped away tears Sunday as he said a sudden back problem made it "impossible" to win the Australian Open final, after his latest injury nightmare at Melbourne Park.
Australian Open champion Li Na paid tribute to her coach Carlos Rodriguez after she came through a slump and even considered retirement before winning her second Grand Slam title.
Canada`s Daniel Nestor has targeted a mixed doubles grand slam in 2014 after pairing up with Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic to beat Sania Mirza and Horia Tecau and win the Australian Open title on Sunday.
Stanislas Wawrinka was supposed to play his best tennis in the men`s singles final against World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. And the Swiss did exactly that to defeat the mighty Spaniard 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
China`s Li Na won a legion of fans en route to winning the Australian Open by cracking jokes after her matches. Here a selection of Li`s one-liners:
India`s Sania Mirza said she`ll try for more Grand Slam mixed doubles titles with Romanian Horia Tecau after the pair missed out in the Australian Open final on Sunday.
Martina Navratilova on Sunday said Serena Williams can win 20-plus Grand Slams despite her flop at the Australian Open, adding she remains well ahead of the competition including the emerging generation of women`s players.
Rod Laver Arena would experience a new contender in Stanislas Wawrinka, as the in-form Swiss takes on the World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open men’s singles final at the Rod Laver Arena.
