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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The only event of note in this match was the Stan swearing incident…………that’s all I can recall.
Rafa, please get out of your funk!!
#SOS
Stan is just so lazy out der..Hes pissing me off
yup ! such a lethargic performance from wawrinka
@Sanju, you would be lazy too if you had so much beef to carry around………
Maybe that’s what this match needs, a 3rd deciding set….
RITB, no.
Commies say sizeable lead?
It’s just a minibreak!
Stan is Fed’s Mini Me.
Three set points.
Does he believe?
Hahaha! The way he is walking to that baseline, you’d think he was on MP…….
3rd set it is…………..
I think it was only your IPad on the line no, @hawkeye?
I didn’t say which set.
Two set points.
Does he believe?
on stan’s racket now…. just a big serve needed
Stan the Swiss weasel.
#NationalStanimal
so what do you guys have to say now? so much for the bending over theory ! lol… he also showed some fire at the end of the set… mat be federer’s dominant head to head record against him was the reason he looked so subdued but his newly found mental strength got him this set..
Not so fast, @vamosrafa. Stan has taken Fed to 3 sets the last 2 matches they played, he still lost. This one will not be different.
#DelayingTheInevitable
#NID
Bend back over Stanimal.
RT “@PseudoFed: “Stanford, don’t say I never give you anything #HappyEaster”
Stan has got his Rafa mask on now…….
Lucy has that football teed up so perfectly.
Who wants to have a go?
Stanford won’t consolidate.
Now Fed is gonna complain Stan is hindering him……with good play
Strewth, Stan is gonna feed Fed a bakery product in the 3rd!
Et tu, RITB?
@Hawkeye, trouble is: Fed cannot last beyond 2 sets now………
Fed’s toast…………
Playing for his first Masters 1000 against Fed?
It won’t last.
Even two breaks won’t be enough.
Delpo does not have a Masters 1000 shield. Should Stan win, he will leapfrog him in the Slam/Masters combo ranks……….
Hypothetically, if Stan wins, does he tweet the score to Roger like he did to Ferru?
#Moot