Wawrinka faces Nadal in championship match

Stan Wawrinka, right, defeats Andy Murray in one semifinal and Rafael Nadal easily disposes of Dominic Thiem in the other the set up the title match for June 11.

Stan Wawrinka battered the ball as if each swing would determine the outcome of his French Open semifinal against No. 1 Andy Murray.

For much of their 41/2 hours of compelling, lengthy and draining points, Murray was up to the task, relentlessly defending and making Wawrinka hit shot after shot after shot. Eventually, the resolute Wawrinka’s offense prevailed. Not bad for an old guy, huh?

Forced to come back twice from a set behind, and never easing up on his go-for-it, attacking style, 2015 champion Wawrinka at last pulled away to beat Murray, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1, on Friday and become the oldest men’s finalist at Roland Garros in 44 years.

Now comes an even tougher task, something the No. 3-seeded Wawrinka, a 32-year-old from Switzerland nicknamed “Stan the Man,” called “probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis.” He will face Rafael Nadal in the French Open final.

Nadal reached a 10th final at his favorite tournament — he’s 9-0 so far — by overwhelming No. 6 Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in barely 2 hours.

College baseball

PITCHER TAKES LEAVE » Oregon State’s top pitcher, who as a teenager pleaded guilty to molesting a 6-year-old girl, released a statement saying he has asked to be excused from playing.

Luke Heimlich said in the statement that he didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, which began play in the NCAA super regionals on Friday evening against Vanderbilt. Heimlich’s attorney, Stephen Ensor, released the statement just hours before the game.

Auto racing

BUSCH WINS POCONO POLE » Kyle Busch turned a lap of 179.151 mph to win the pole at Pocono Raceway.

Busch had the fastest lap to win a NASCAR Cup pole for the second straight week. Busch won the pole at Dover International Speedway.