Stan Wawrinka becomes the oldest French Open finalist in 44 years

Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka celebrates after beating World No. 1 Andy Murray in the French Open semis at Paris yesterday. Pic/AP/PTI

Stan Wawrinka became the oldest French Open finalist in 44 years yesterday with an epic 6-7 (6-8), 6 -3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 win over world number one Andy Murray.

The 2015 champion will face either nine-time winner Rafael Nadal or Dominic Thiem for the title after avenging his loss to Murray at the same stage in Paris last year. US Open champion Wawrinka (32), triumphed in a pulsating four hour 34 minute battle of shotmaking and endurance and will target a fourth Slam title on Sunday. For Murray, his wait to become Britain's first men's champion in Paris since Fred Perry in 1935 goes on.

A dejected Andy Murray during his French Open semi-final defeat to Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

"It's incredible to be in another Roland Garros final," said Wawrinka, the oldest finalist since 33-year-old Niki Pilic was runner-up in 1973.

"Andy always makes you play another ball, he makes you play badly. It was a great atmosphere which makes you give it your all."

Murray admitted that Wawrinka was the better player. "I tried to keep fighting, but he played well. I was a tiebreak from getting to the final in a tournament I came into struggling," said Murray, the 2016 runner-up to Novak Djokovic.