PARIS — A first-round loser at the French Open last year, Stan Wawrinka is into the final this year.
“It’s difficult to keep a cool head every week,” Wawrinka said of that contrast. “That’s the big difference with the Big Four.”
Clearly, the Big Four — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — have set a new standard for oligarchical rule in men’s tennis.
But Wawrinka, who won the 2014 Australian Open, is turning into quite a spoiler, and his grinding 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in Friday’s first semifinal at Roland Garros was a reflection of his growing self belief and maturity.