A rematch of the 2017 BNP Paribas Open final between Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will take place on Tuesday during third-round action in Indian Wells.
Making it happen wasn’t easy. At least not for Wawrinka.
The 33-year-old Swiss survived a second-round thriller against Marton Fucsovics that lasted three hours and 24 minutes on Sunday night, triumphing 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-5. An unbelievable 48 break points were part of the epic saga, with Wawrinka converting six of 23 chances while Fucsovics capitalized on four of 25 opportunities.
Just about every service game in the final set was tough for Wawrinka, who failed to wrap things up at 5-4. But the three-time Grand Slam champion broke again at 5-5, after which he finally held off the 29th-seed Hungarian by holding a service game that featured multiple deuces and–it fitting fashion–multiple break points.
Wawrinka posted on Twitter afterward: “What a night!! What a fight!!!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T4RIzz6xu4
Wawrinka’s reward is a 25th career meeting with countryman Roger Federer, who is dominating the head-to-head series 21-3. Federer advanced through his Indian Wells opener in much more routine fashion, taking care of Peter Gojowyczk 6-1, 7-5.
“For the first [match] I actually felt really good,” the 37-year-old commented. “If I maybe would have served a little bit better, I think things would have gone faster. But at the end it was a tough second set, and it’s maybe exactly what I needed…. I think I played well in the first set and he didn’t, and then things go very quickly. The second set I think he saved some crucial break points with good serving. I think his serve really picked up. I’m really happy I found a way in that second set.”
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who ya got?
Federer has to serve better and ideally finish the match in two sets. I think he often fades as matches progress these days, whereas Stan sometimes seems to get stronger. I think Fed’s form is a bit better at the moment; Fed in two close sets.
That wka fvics match was incredible…great drama….but GOAT in 2.
That was a helluva match! Stan vs Marton Fucsovics.
The Swiss guy will win.
No, he will lose
Seriously, Stan was intense in his last match. Have not seen Federer play yet. But I bracket picked Stan over Fed. But I don’t think Stan has ever beat Roger at IW tho, has he?
Great to have Stan back in the mix.