Wawrinka Takes Djokovic to Five Sets at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic needed five hours and five sets to dispatch Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian open.

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka’s booming forehand was a potent weapon throughout the five-set match. Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images

Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka, in the past an easy win for No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, pushed the Lanky Serb to his limits in a five-hour five set battle in the fourth round of the Australian Open tennis tournament Sunday.

The final score was 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6577, 12-10, and every game of every set was a struggle for both players.

“It’s really hard to find the words to describe the feeling that we had to night, especially during the fifth set, Djokovic told ESPN.

“He deserved equally to be a winner of this match. I give him a lot of credit and respect; especially tonight, he showed his quality. He was the aggressive player on the court—I was just trying to hang in there trying to fight.