Stan Wawrinka must get past Rafael Nadal to remain perfect in Grand Slam finals

It’s no Federer-Nadal, but the most textured sub-rivalry in tennis puts Andy Murray against Stan Wawrinka. They’ve each won three major titles. They both would be once-in-a-generation players, were it not for the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic triad. They were at No. 1 and 3 in the seedings entering the 2017 French Open. They added to compendium on Friday.

A rematch of last year’s semifinal—which Murray won in four sets—the two exchange tracer fire, but also nuance and momentum, for four-and-a-half-hours. When Murray failed to close out the match in the fourth set tiebreaker, he had no more ammo left in the chamber. Still well armed, Wawrinka squeezed off another round of aces and winner and closed out a demi-classic 6-7, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-1. In the end, he didn't just beat Murray; he broke him.

How. Did. He. Do. This?

Any explanations welcome, @stanwawrinka...#RG17 pic.twitter.com/73yfQltx7B
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017

10 match wins in a row!

It's another French finale for @stanwawrinka: https://t.co/SOXQvbJ3I6 #RG17 pic.twitter.com/osj9mEbeLZ
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2017

Wawrinka has achieved a great deal in tennis. Three majors, including Roland Garros in 2015. He’s made an enviable habit of playing his best tennis at the biggest events. He’s been particularly strong at the French Open, where’s won 18 of his last 19 matches. One thing he’s never done: lost in a Grand Slam final. He’ll try and keep it that way on Sunday.

Snapshots from the semifinals

French Open 2017 semifinals

Rafael Nadal

Dominic Thiem

Rafael Nadal

Stan Wawrinka

Rafael Nadal

Stan Wawrinka

Andy Murray

Dominic Thiem

Stan Wawrinka

Andy Murray

Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray

Stan Wawrinka

Andy Murray

Jelena Ostapenko

Stan Wawrinka

Andy Murray

Timea Bacsinszky

Jelena Ostapenko

Timea Bacsinszky

Jelena Ostapenko

Timea Bacsinszky, Jelena Ostapenko

Jelena Ostapenko

Simona Halep