Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/560492
On a bright, lazy Sunday in Paris, Wawrinka executed the perfect match. He controlled the points with his heavy groundstrokes and when given time and space on that wonderful one-handed backhand he threaded winners with ease. He ripped 65 shots in total past Djokovic during the contest. The elastic man, with the ability to bend, twist and stretch, had finally snapped. "It was the match of my life," said Wawrinka. He wasn't wrong. Anyone for the Big Five? While the three-week gap between Roland Garros and Wimbledon was well received, Djokovic was the man who benefitted the most. After being brought to tears by the prolonged and moving show of support from the Philippe Chatrier Court crowd, he left his rackets in his bag for ten days. "I needed some time to just mentally recover," he said. "I needed that emotional rest to get myself in a proper state of mind so I can start all over again." And start all over again he did. Despite not contesting a warm-up event on grass, he eased into the fourth round at Wimbledon without dropping a set. Then he bumped into Kevin Anderson. In one of the more memorable matches of the tournament, the Serb clawed his way back from two sets down to beat the South African in five. He followed with comfortable wins over Marin Cilic and Richard Gasquet, who was contesting the Wimbledon semifinal for the first time in eight years after victories over Nick Kyrgios and Wawrinka. The lower end of the draw produced the early drama. Journeyman Dustin Brown handed Nadal a fourth early exit from SW19 in as many years, while Kei Nishikori and David Ferrer were both forced out with injury. The two players to come through the bottom half were, as expected, Federer and Murray. What wasn't expected was how their semifinal clash would play out. With many experts backing the in-form Murray to take his place alongside Djokovic in the final, Federer produced a performance for the ages to reach his tenth Wimbledon final. He floated around the court, painted lines with winners and enjoyed what he called, "one of the best serving days of my career." It was a sight to behold. The question on everyone's lips: could he reproduce that level in the final? The answer, unfortunately for him, was no and that slight dip in level was all Djokovic needed to pounce, securing a four-set win and with it a ninth Grand Slam title. "I was disappointed and heartbroken [after Roland Garros]," said Djokovic. "But if there is one thing that I learned in sport, it is to recover fast, to leave things behind me and move on." While the lasting memory of The Championships 2015 will be Djokovic and Serena, it will also be remembered as Lleyton Hewitt's last. The 2002 champion bowed out in typical fashion, a battling five-set loss to Jarkko Nieminen. His parting thought? "I wouldn't have wanted it any other way." In doubles, Safarova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands teamed up to add a Roland Garros title to their Australian Open crown, while Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo captured the men's title, defeating Bob and Mike Bryan in the final. At Wimbledon, Martina Hingis reeled back the years to do the doubles double, winning the ladies' event alongside Sania Mirza and the mixed with Leander Paes. It was fourth time lucky for Horia Tecau in the men's doubles. The three-time Wimbledon runner-up finally got his hands on the prize, joining forces with Jean-Julien Rojer to beat Jamie Murray and John Peers. Next up: the US Open. New York and its endless possibilities await. Only five players have won the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open in one calendar year. Rod Laver did it twice. 1938 Donald Budge (USA) 1953 Maureen Connolly (USA) 1962 Rod Laver (AUS) 1969 Rod Laver (AUS) 1970 Margaret Court (AUS) 1988 Steffi Graf (GER) ACHIEVING THE GRAND SLAM 18 ITFWORLD SUMMER 2015 Garbine Muguruza was impressive in her run to the Wimbledon final Maria Sharapova fell to familiar foe Serena Williams in the Wimbledon semis ROLAND GARROS AND WIMBLEDON