Stan Wawrinka will be looking to bounce back from a dreadful performance against Rafael Nadal when he takes the court at the World Tour Finals again on Wednesday. Up next for Wawrinka in round-robin action is David Ferrer.
Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer will be meeting for the 14th time in their careers when they resume their World Tour Finals campaigns on Wednesday night.
The head-to-head series stands at 7-6 in favor of Ferrer, but Wawrinka has won three of their four previous hard-court encounters–including two of three indoors. They have faced each other once at the World Tour Finals, where Wawrinka got the best of a round-robin showdown 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1. The two veterans have collided only once since then–more than a year ago on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo, where the Swiss cruised 6-1, 7-6(3).
Both men are in dire need of a victory after losing their O2 openers in straight sets. Ferrer at least managed to be somewhat competitive against Andy Murray but the Spaniard’s serve let him down in a 6-4, 6-4 loss. Wawrinka started his match by breaking Rafael Nadal only to go off the rails immediately thereafter. The world No. 4 got broken right back at love, never recovered, and ultimately succumbed 6-3, 6-2.
In his first World Tour Finals match since losing a controversial semifinal thriller to Roger Federer last year, Wawrinka never looked comfortable.
“I was bothered with everything,” he explained. ” I wasn’t there. Just everything went the wrong way. Was just a really bad day at the office.”
Ferrer’s problems are fewer, more easily identified, and may be more correctable. The Spaniard served at a horrendous 49 percent against Murray while double-faulting eight times without striking a single ace. Afterward he mentioned that the struggles came out of nowhere.
“I was serving good the last two months,” Ferrer reflected. “I am happy with my serve (in general). It’s only one match.”
Although Wawrinka is capable of hitting through this surface despite its lack of speed, he certainly did not do that against Nadal and looked frustrated with the conditions. Barring a drastic turnaround in the mental department for the reigning French Open champion, this is a good opportunity for a relatively in-form Ferrer.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
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Stan can be a moody one. But it’s over and Stan wins! Another pick wins, Hawkey. Am I getting closer?
You have to be better than Ricky and those who make their picks after the match so you’re in!!!!
hahaha, oh good! Yep, I’m not afraid to embarrass myself well in advance of knowing much.
Standings after RR2:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUICJsHUwAAd7nm.png
Really appreciate you posting these, augusta. My gosh, I didn’t get the sets right but the order — still a chance.
So both the world #s 1 & 2 are still waiting to qualify.
Who would have thought that it would be Stan and Andy fighting for the #2 spot in their group while Rafa was already through to the semis?
It’s a nice feeling.
I thought it was strange to see Ferrer go down so meekly. He usually fights until the very last shot.
After seeing Ferrer today, I like Rafa chances against him on Friday! Rafa can go 3-0 if he wins.
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Put a poll in front of me and I’ll vote: whether I know anything or voted already 😀
what isn’t a nice feeling: Nadal has to play Djokovic
Djoko hasn’t qualified yet; he could still lose to Berdych or Kei could beat Federer. I’m not sure Djoko is keen on meeting Rafa either.
Ricky,
Yeah, thanks for reminding me!
If Kei beats Fed, he and Fed will qualify. It’s great not to be panacking about Rafa for the first time in months…………..until the SF match of course.
And that would be me pick – Rafa 3-0! Stan is supposed to make it too. But he’s not predictable; nor is Andy. Mumbles or moody, take your pick.
Yes, I can’t really pick between Stan or Murray either. After seeing how Murray looked against Rafa, I am not as sure that I would have been about him qualifying for the semis.
It’s a one match shoot-out between them for a trip to the semis.
Mumbles or moody! I like that! 🙂
Definitely Murray likely in three.
Wow.
Muzzarinka haven’t played in over two years!
Muzzarinka? Isn’t she an Olympic figure skater?
hawkeye,
Yes, I do think Murray will get it done in 3 sets.
as I expected…Wawa suddenly rejuvenates and beats Ferry in a fashionable way…I must admit did not see the match but am going to watch the replay…I don’t like Swiss ‘teenage love affair’ person with sporadic neurotic behavior, but I just knew Wawa woud rise to the occasion…people have written him off just too soon…it was not his fault that he run into a different Rafa, the one that he hadn’t seen this year, the one that hardly let him breathe let alone play his A game…
Wawa certainly can beat Murray and qualify for the semis…if that’s the case than too bad he does not meet Nole as he would most likely make his life difficult…