French Open 2015: Men's final preview - Can Novak Djokovic complete his career slam?

Who will have the last laugh as Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic lock horns in the final?

Stanimal or Serbinator: Who has the edge going into the final?

After two weeks of entertaining tennis, we are down to two men to determine who walks out of Roland Garros as the 2015 champion.

Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have made their way to the summit clash courtesy some aggrssive tennis. While Djokovic is aiming to become only the eighth man in the Open era to complete his career slam (to have won all four Grand Slams), Wawrinka wants the world to know that he is not a one slam wonder.

These two men have met in remarkable matches over the years, particularly at the Australian Open and it is always tough to choose a winner between the two when they are playing some of the best tennis of their life. Both have taken out former champions en route to the final.

Djokovic knocked out 9-time champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets and Wawrinka got the better of his compatriot Roger Federer without dropping a set.

The World No. 1 is riding on a 28-match winning streak after a tough 5-set win over Andy Murray in the semifinals. He has won all major tournaments starting with the Paris Masters late last year. Federer and Ivo Karlovic are the only men to have beaten Djokovic this year. However, it is not a given that Djokovic will overcome Wawrinka tonight.

Attacking strengths of the opponent

The Swiss denied Nadal a second Australian Open title last year by playing some remarkable tennis in the final. He is starting to live up to his potential as a good clay court player after a disappointing first round loss to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez at the 2014 French Open. His backhand is one of the best in the world and he will look to use it to his advantage against the Serb this evening.

Wawrinka hit some sublime winners against Federer in the quarterfinal on both wings of the court, but he will look to vary it up a little bit as Djokovic is very good at counterattacking his opponent’s strengths.

Djokovic had to spend two days on court in the semifinal after play was suspended on Friday due to bad light. Will it have an impact on his game today? It remains to be seen. The Serb had cruised to the last four stage without dropping a set, but he was tested against Murray who had an outstanding clay court season. The two played several lengthy rallies with Murray coming out on top in most of them.

Will Wawrinka employ the same strategy against the Djoker this evening or try to finish off points with winners? Both men are strong on the backhand side and it will be a treat to fans as they try to outsmart each other during rallies. Expect some splendid winners from both men today.

Both Federer and Andre Agassi won the French Open in their 11th attempt. It is the 11th appearance in Roland Garros for both Djokovic and Wawrinka this year! One of these men will join that exclusive club tonight! But, who will it be?

A fascinating final is on the cards

Wawrinka has had a relatively easy passage to the finals with only Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga posing little threat to the Swiss No. 2. However, Djokovic is coming to the final after wins over Nadal and Murray. The World No. 1 leads 19-3 against Wawrinka. Two of those three wins for the No. 8 seed came way back in 2006.

Djokovic was very frugal on his serves losing very few points on his service games before his match against Muray, while Wawrinka can get a bit erratic when the pressure gets to him. Apart from a physical battle, it will also be a mental one and the man who handles the pressure well will likely come out on top.

For Djokovic,this is his third French Open final and he will be happy to see that it it is not Nadal on the other side of the court for a change. Wawrinka has nothing to lose appearing in his first final in Roland Garros and will come out all guns blazing against Djokovic. Wawrinka can take out any player on his day, but the big question is: Can he do it consistently for three sets against the World No. 1?

All in all, it will be an entertaining final that will see a new champion for the first time in six years.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in four sets.