Wawrinka flying the Swiss flag at Open

Unlike his more celebrated countryman, there is no suggestion that Stan Wawrinka is suffering from a post-Davis Cup hangover.

With more than a little help from Wawrinka, the great Roger Federer was able to finally fill the only gap in his tennis CV in November as Switzerland claimed their maiden Davis Cup crown with victory over France.

The star Swiss duo also began 2015 with tournament victories – Federer at the Brisbane International and Wawrinka in Chennai.

But at the Australian Open, it has been the less-heralded Wawrinka left to fly the Swiss flag for the second straight year.

The reigning Open champion has dropped just one set in advancing to a semi-final clash on Friday against world No.1 Novak Djokovic, while Federer suffered his second-earliest major defeat in more than a decade, having been bounced out in the third round by Italian journeyman Andreas Seppi.

The fourth-seeded Wawrinka has won only three of his previous 19 encounters with Djokovic but he can draw a power of inspiration from their most recent clash at Melbourne Park – a 2014 quarter-final epic won 9-7 in the fifth set by the Swiss.

“I think I’m playing better (this year) but I think we all improve every year,” said the 29-year-old.

“I’m more aggressive. I’m more confident with my game when I come to the net.

“… I know that now I have a grand slam at home, I have the grand slam trophy.

“I won the Davis Cup also and I have the the confidence from that, I know I can make it.

“I trust my game.

“I trust myself on the court even when we start to play a semi-final or final in a grand slam.”

Key to Wawrinka’s march to the final four is a mindset that he is again trying to win a major title at Melbourne Park, rather than defending one, with Djokovic standing in his way in Melbourne for the third straight year.

“It will be funny to play him again,” said Wawrinka.

“I will be happy to play him three straight years in a row.

“We’ve had some crazy matches in the grand slams in the past.”

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