Preise » The sixth-seeded Raonic eliminated Federer

NEW YORK -- For years, the duo of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominated mens tennis.Along came Novak Djokovic, and suddenly there was a group of stars known as the Big 3, a trio that has won 39 of the past 47 major championships.And then Andy Murray elbowed his way in at the top, creating what some referred to as a Big 4.So now where does Stan Wawrinka fit among the sports elite? After all, his U.S. Open title gives him three Grand Slam trophies, the same total as Murray, and each one came via a victory in the final against the man ranked No. 1 at the time. Should the discussion shift to a Big 5, perhaps?At least one person says absolutely not: Stan the Man, himself.First, I think its not fair for them to put me there. I think theyve been there more than 10 years. ... Theyve been winning everything, and I think its just not fair, Wawrinka said Monday, meeting with reporters a day after beating Djokovic 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in the final at Flushing Meadows.The Big 4 stays the Big 4, like that, he added with a smile. Im me.Maybe it doesnt matter how Wawrinka is characterized. His accomplishments are worthy enough on their own, without any sort of embellishment or stamp of approval via a status conferred by others.Wawrinka is ranked No. 3, behind Djokovic and Murray, and ahead of the recently injured Nadal and Federer at the moment. He also has a bit of a confounding overall record.Yes, Wawrinka owns those three all-important trophies and stands one Wimbledon title away from becoming the ninth man to complete a career Grand Slam; and, yes, he beat Djokovic en route to all three; and, yes, he is 3-0 in major finals; and, yes, he has beaten the owner of the No. 1 ranking in each of those; and, yes, he has won his past 11 tournament finals.There are, however, some gaps that could use filling.For one thing, he is 0-19 against whoever is No. 1 in all settings other than a title match at a major. For another, he owns exactly one Masters 1000 title, well behind the pack: Since 2009, Djokovic has 26, Nadal 16, and Federer and Murray 10 apiece.Wawrinka says thats a big reason he wont put himself in the same class as the others. And he acknowledges he wants to be more consistent throughout the season, faring better in those types of tournaments.Rod Laver tends to agree, saying Monday that Wawrinka can prove hes up there with that other quartet with some better showings at the Masters.That said, Laver -- owner of 11 major titles, and the only two-time winner of a calendar-year Grand Slam -- was impressed by what he saw of Wawrinka from the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands Sunday.His game has improved. He used to have an OK forehand, and now it really is a weapon. That backhand was always there, Laver said. Its neat, the way he doesnt let up. Even when its a tough one, hes still going for `em. Because you think, `God, hes just got to mis-hit a few of them when hes down break points. And he never did.Wawrinka said Monday he stepped on court the evening earlier knowing he could beat Djokovic and assured his coach, Magnus Norman, as much.Just before the match, when we were talking, I told him I had a feeling that, this time, Im even more confident to beat him. I feel better than him, Wawrinka said. And its the first time ever I had that feeling in a tournament and in a match. And maybe thats also one of the reasons I played so well.At 31, Wawrinka is the oldest U.S. Open mens champion since 1970. Hes only the fifth man in the Open era with at least two major titles after 30.Not bad for a guy who said his goal when he started out was to maybe one day play a French Open.Not win it. Just get in the draw.So labels dont matter to him. Big 4? Big 5? Who cares?I dont want to keep talking about being part of them or close (to) them, because I think the Big 4 has to stay the Big 4, Wawrinka said, his shiny silver trophy on the table in front of him. Its a part of tennis history and it will always be like that, and I think its great like that.---Howard Fendrich covers tennis for The Associated Press. Write to him at hfendrich(at)ap.org or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Matt Ryan Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Duke Riley Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseysauthentic.com/ . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Falcons Jerseys China . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Russell Gage Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. LONDON -- Andy Murrays first Wimbledon championship was for his country.This one was for Andy Murray.Dulling big serves with quick-reflex returns, conjuring up daring passing shots and playing impressively mistake-free tennis all the while, Murray beat Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) on Sunday for his second trophy at the All England Club and third Grand Slam title overall.In 2013, Murray famously ended Britains 77-year wait for one of its own to win the mens final at Wimbledon, a quest that became burdensome.Now he wanted a victory to end his personal rut of three consecutive losses in major finals, including at the Australian Open in January, and French Open last month.It is different. I feel happier this time. I feel more content this time. I feel like this was sort of more for myself more than anything, and my team as well, the second-seeded Murray said. Last time, it was just pure relief, and I didnt really enjoy the moment as much, whereas Im going to make sure I enjoy this one.This was his 11th Grand Slam final, but the first against someone other than Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer. The sixth-seeded Raonic eliminated Federer in five sets in the semifinals Friday, and also defeated the player who stunned Djokovic in the third round, Sam Querrey.Those wins helped Raonic become the first man representing Canada to reach a major final.He did it, primarily, by averaging 25 1/2 aces through six matches. But on a breezy afternoon, at a Centre Court filled with nearly 15,000 partisan fans, Murray shut down that integral part of Raonics game.This ones going to sting, Raonic said.Its been a rough few weeks for Britain, what with its vote to leave the European Union, the drop of the pounds value, and the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron, who was seated in the front row of the Royal Box on Sunday, several seats over from Prince William and his wife, Kate.During the trophy presentation, Murray joked: Playing in a Wimbledon finals tough, but I certainly wouldnt like to be a prime minister. Its an impossible job.Murray, a 29-year-old from Scotland, long dealt with the expectations that accompanied being Britains best chance to find a male champion to succeed Fred Perry, who last won the grass-court tournament in 1936. After Sundays victory, Murrays mother, former British Fed Cup captain Judy, referred to that old phenomenon as, The constant, `When are you going to win Wiimbledon? When are you going to win Wimbledon? When are you going to win Wimbledon?But her son has dealt with that and thrived, thanks to a counter-punching game and sublime returns of serve.ddddddddddddIt took Raonic 36 minutes and five service games to record his first ace, and he wound up with only eight. Over and over, Murray managed to get the ball back, even one that came in at 147 mph.And while Murray only broke Raonic once, to lead 4-3 in the opening set, that was all it took, because the tiebreakers were surprisingly one-way traffic.Murray also took 50 of 65 points he served across the first two sets, not only never facing so much as a break point in that span but also being pushed to deuce merely once.Finally, at 2-all in the third, Raonic got to 15-40 for his first -- and, it turned out, only -- break points, thanks to a forehand return winner off an 82 mph second serve.Potentially turning points, said Carlos Moya, one of a trio of coaches for Raonic, including John McEnroe. If he got that break, who knows what could happen?But Murray stood tall, taking the next four points to hold, then wheeled toward his box, pumping his right fist and yelling.According to the official statistics, Murray made only 12 unforced errors, two in the second set. While thats a subjective accounting, anyone watching and listening could plainly tell that he was striking the ball cleanly and confidently, a crisp thwack resonating as racket strings hit ball, much more often than not putting shots right where intended.Really good stuff, Murray said.His opponents take? He was playing much better than me off the baseline, Raonic acknowledged.Taking it all in from Murrays guest box, with seemingly nary a smile, was coach Ivan Lendl. They worked together when Murray won his first two Grand Slam trophies, including at the 2012 U.S. Open, then split up, before reuniting last month.Once again, that partnership paid off, and at Wimbledon, no less.When he sat in his sideline chair after the match concluded, Murray wiped away tears with a tournament towel.T