Wawrinka reaches first final in nearly 2 years in Rotterdam

Three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka reached his first final on Saturday since his comeback a year ago from left knee surgeries.

The unseeded Wawrinka beat top-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the ABN AMRO World Tournament semifinals to face Gael Monfils for the title on Sunday.

The final is Wawrinka's first since the 2017 French Open, where he last met Monfils in the fourth round.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates winning against Kei Nishikori of Japan in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, in the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Monfils ousted the other remaining seed, No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, a week after the Russian beat Monfils in the Sofia semifinals en route to that title.

Wawrinka didn't serve as well as Nishikori but outplayed Nishikori from the baseline. And his returns never let the Japanese feel comfortable even after winning the second set. The Swiss broke Nishikori decisively at 5-4 in the third set.

Wawrinka will be going for his 17th career title and second in Rotterdam, after winning in 2015.

Kei Nishikori of Japan plays a shot against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Monfils previously reached the Rotterdam final in 2016. He's going for an eighth career title.

He became more aggressive to tie the set score. A drop shot gave him break point at 4-4 in the third and he took it forcing an error. He won forcing another error from Medvedev.

"Tactically, I played good and physically I was tough, I was happy that I could handle it physically," Monfils said. "My game plan was definitely to make him play a lot of balls and at the end it paid off."

Gael Monfils of France celebrates defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

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Gael Monfils of France drops his racket when returning a ball against Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Daniil Medvedev of Russia plays a shot against Gael Monfils of France in the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO world tennis tournament at Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)