It will be an all-Swiss final on Sunday in Monte-Carlo, with Stanislas Wawrinka going up against Roger Federer. Both men are looking for their first title at the event.
Stanislas Wawrinka and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers when they battle for the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters title on Sunday afternoon.
Federer is dominating the head-to-head series 13-1, with a 3-1 mark on clay. Interestingly, however, Wawrinka’s lone victory over his fellow Swiss came at this same Monte-Carlo event (via a 6-4, 7-5 decision in the 2009 third round). They have faced each other only once since 2012 and on no occasions since last year’s Indian Wells Masters, where Federer prevailed in three sets.
The 2014 campaign has been kind to both men, with Wawrinka posting the most impressive results of his career and Federer enjoying a resurgence following a disappointing 2012. Wawrinka is 19-3 for the season with his first Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open in addition to a winner’s trophy in Chennai. Federer’s 28-4 mark includes a title in Dubai and a runner-up showing in Indian Wells.
Wawrinka did not drop a set en route to the Monte-Carlo final, taking out Marin Cilic, Milos Raonic, and David Ferrer–who had upset Rafael Nadal in Friday’s quarterfinals. The world No. 3 also got a walkover past Nicolas Almagro in the third round. Federer survived one stumbling block against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, whom the No. 4 seed defeated 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-1 after being two points from defeat in the second set. That came in between straight-set scalps of Radek Stepanek, Lukas Rosol, and defending champion Novak Djokovic–who was struggling with a wrist injury.
This may not be a rout because Wawrinka is in great form, is well-rested, and clay gives him his best chance against Federer. Given his past futility, however, Wawrinka has to have a mental block against his favored countryman and that should help Federer regain the status of being Switzerland’s No. 1 player. That, too, is on the line in this one.
Pick: Federer in 3
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O Monte Carlo final without Rafa………how droll.
When’s the Monaco Princess producing the heir to the throne? She didn’t get the job description?
RT @bgtennisnation: “Very strange to here the 2 players warmed each other up for the final”
Already, the signs are there…..
#IAmYourFather
Haha..tough hold for Stan
Watching first 2 games..it is very clear Stan will not do much damage today either with his BH or FH..hes already missing
Yesterday he was not afraid, today he is….
RT @TennisTV : “Severin Lüthi, coach for both players, sitting in @rogerfederer’s box today and @stanwawrinka was fine with that pic.twitter.com/o1bcqKai1a”
As if Wawa was going to kick up a fuss…….
#Who’sTheBoss
Whats so surprising about it? Severin is Rogers coach first anyway
sad stuff from Stan
I have lost time of the number of times the commies have mentioned Rafa’s loss to Stan in OZ. I have tweeted them to ask them to talk about the math instead. They keep ignoring the fact that Rafa was injured in OZ.
^^A respite for me then, I’m watching the final on Bein Sport TV…..Arabic commentary!
Fed breaks……….Wawa is a joke.
^^^Errors and omissions excepted.
There it goes..choking has started. Stan will miss, Roger does not have to do much
Fed donating errors and Stan even worse…………Rafa has a lot of ‘splaining to do. How can he let us suffer this?
Is this the worst clay court final ever? Discuss. No rallies, no point construction, nothing…….
No
Nadal-Federer finals are even worse
(In terms of competitiveness)
Fedals may be non-competitive but they are exciting. The way Rafa draws those Fed shanks is exciting, no? This is a damp squib………
Ricky, no.
RT @bgtennisnation: : “Fedfan strikes 1st with the Break he looks very relaxed today, no Rafa to deal with on this final of MC”
Where is the Wawa who came up against Milos and Ferrer? He is spraying so many errors
Fed is not playing well either..Its just who is making more UE..I think they have made 27 between them already in 1st set
Fed is so confident he is even playing passing shots, can you believe………..
I got the first set right 6-4.
Stan being Stan.
6-2 in the second.
I hear Stan has a tryout for the Washington Generals.
#YoureWelcome
Was Stan just warned for swearing? Couldn’t follow, Arabic commentary……
Roger should have gotten a time violation after he fell
#LiveByTheSword
It’s not that Stan is even tanking, he’s just so damn scared of Fed…………..
I hope Roger tips well.
#Staff
RT @bgtennisnation: “Convertible 1st set for Fedfan with a win today he can move back to 3rd in rankings and 1st in race points to London”
Stan is even making Roger’s BH look decent……….
decent? roger has an a great backhand anyway !