Australian Open finalist Stanislas Wawrinka says it’s nothing new for his semi-final victim Tomas Berdych to choke at key moments.
The Swiss eighth seed booked his first appearance in a grand slam decider by downing the Czech seventh seed 6-3 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) on Thursday night.
The match was dominated by serve, but Berdych did not help his own cause by throwing in two double-faults to give up the third-set tiebreak, then producing another in the fourth-set tiebreak.
Wawrinka said he took confidence from beating four-time champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
But he said he also knew, after beating Berdych in their three most recent meetings, that the Czech could be susceptible under pressure.
“Last year I played four times against Tomas. He beat me the first in Davis Cup, but then I won three times,” Wawrinka said.
“He was always the one who was a little bit choking (in a) few moments, a little bit down, and that’s what happened today again.”
Wawrinka said he sensed his opponent’s nerves.
“I had the feeling he was really nervous and really tired because he gave me a little bit some points in the tiebreak, the third set tiebreak and fourth set tiebreak, with some double-faults,” he said.
The Swiss will meet either countryman Roger Federer or world No.1 Rafael Nadal in Sunday night’s final, with that pair to renew their rivalry in Friday night’s semi-final.
Wawrinka said he was unsure how he would feel entering his first major final, against an opponent who will bring vast experience.
But he said while he had doubted he would ever reach a grand slam decider, he was playing well and deserved his chance.
“It’s because I’m at the top of my career,” Wawrinka said.
“Already last year I had the feeling that I was playing better, but I was dealing better with the pressure also.
“I’m more mature, I’m 28 now, I’ve been on the tour for 10 years. Now I feel that it’s my time to play my best tennis.”