Wawrinka wins in Melbourne, captures first Grand Slam

Stan Wawrinka captured his first Grand Slam on Sunday, defeating a hobbled Rafael Nadal in four sets (6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3).

Wawrinka came out firing early and took a one set lead. He then broke Nadal in the opening game of the second set.

The Spaniard injured his back soon after the break and gamely battled through the rest of the set. After the match Nadal said he felt the pain during warm ups. 

Wawrinka, sensing how close he was to finally breaking through, faltered in the third set. Painkillers taken by Nadal appeared to do their job as the world No. 1 began to move better.

It wasn't enough. Nadal's serve was rendered powerless by his back ailment. Wawrinka battled nerves throughout the fourth set, but found a way to overcome. 

Wawrinka moves to No. 3 in the world with the win in Melbourne. He also becomes the first man to beat the top two seeds at a major since Sergi Bruguera accomplished the feat at the 1993 French Open. 

Nadal was incredibly gracious, citing Stan's play and not his back as the principal factor in Sunday's result. "That's not the real moment to talk about that," said the 13-time Grand Slam champion. "Is the moment to congratulate Stan.  He's playing unbelievable.  He really deserve to win that title."

Their embrace at net indicated how far the men's game has come since the days of McEnroe and Connors. 

The landscape of the men's game has been altered. Finally, the big four's vice grip on the big trophies has been broken. 2014 could be a weird one. 

"There's a big chance I get drunk tonight," Wawrinka said during his final press conference. Dude, chance? You've earned this.