Wawrinka hopes to avoid being 'killed' by 'perfect' Djokovic at Wimbledon
Stan Wawrinka set up a Wimbledon third-round clash with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic on Thursday, hoping to «not get killed» by a rival he first faced 17 years ago. The 38-year-old Wawrinka, who has won three Grand Slam titles, made the last 32 by seeing off Argentina's 29th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. It will be his first time in the third round at the All England Club since 2015, when he went on to make the quarter-finals.
Former world number three Wawrinka, now ranked at 88 after a lengthy battle with injuries, has only beaten Djokovic six times in 26 meetings. However, they have never met on grass. «I will enjoy it if I don't get killed,» said Wawrinka.
«Novak is an amazing champion. I am happy to get the chance to play him on grass before I finish my career. »It will be a big challenge and I will have to play at a high level." Two of Wawrinka's wins over Djokovic came in Grand Slam finals — at the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open.
The Swiss also beat the 23-time major winner in the last eight of the 2014 Australian Open on his way to his maiden Slam triumph. However, admitting that he has «zero opportunity» to win the title, Wawrinka was quick to hail Djokovic's talents. «Give me one weakness.
He's the perfect player,» said Wawrinka. «If you look, everything is so clean. He plays the perfect shot in the right moment.
I love to watch him play, as much as I was loving to watch Roger play. He can do everything.» Wawrinka's duels in the Slams with Djokovic have been epic encounters — in the Paris and New York finals, Wawrinka won in four sets after dropping the opener. In the 2014 Australian Open quarter-finals, Wawrinka came through 9-7 in the last set.
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