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Federer saves 4MPs to beat Wawrinka in epic

15 November 2014

What an electric semifinal in London!

The odds were all for Roger Federer that had an incredible round robin to win all matches in straight sets and in real style (that 6-0 6-1 to Murray was the highlight). Wawrinka had a much more shaky experience in his own group to play not at his very best in match 2 and 3 after a great experience in the opener when he defeated Berdych 6-1 6-1.

First Set

You’ll never know what tennis (and especially Wawrinka) reserves for the next match and Stan got back to a great level. The world no.4 had a super start to break Roger in the 3^rd (2-1) and 7^th (5-2) game. At that point Stan lost the following service game (already shaky in important games?) to then win the opener 6-4.

Second Set

The second set went to the distance and Roger got the decisive break (at love) in the last game to win 7-5. In this game Federer took full advantage of Wawrinka’s inability to give his 100% in tense moments. Stan was playing at his very best to suddenly commit an array of terrible mistakes and give the set to his compatriot.

Third Set – > 4 MPs

The decider was an epic. Roger lost the service in the opening game (typical Roger when he wins a tight set) to find himself in deep deep waters. Roger managed to break Stan when his friend was serving for the match (5-4) saving 3 match points: the first with a great forehand passing shot, the second one was on Stan that ditched a backhand volley in the net; the third came after another shaky volley from Wawrinka. Eventually Roger managed to bring the 3^rd set to the breaker and it was time for Roger to save a 4^th match point (5-6) with a solid serve down the “T”. Then it was time for the Maestro to have his own opportunity to convert his first match point with a “Maestro-like” volley at the net. The final score was 4-6 7-5 7-6 (8).

Federer: I got lucky

Roger commented “I thought it was a very exciting match, to say the least. I think the crowd got really into it. I really didn’t think I was going to turn it around anymore because Stan looked very good for a long time, was able to win the second set somehow by hanging around. Then in the third, I think he played very well. Maybe a serve let him go a little bit when he needed it the most.

I was frustrated being down in the third… I clearly got lucky tonight. There’s no doubt about that. But you’ve got to keep believing that maybe there is a slight chance that you are going to be able to turn it around somehow. It happened today. I’m very pleased. It’s very hard, obviously, against Stan.”

The Opinion

The match was absolutely fantastic. Both players were at their very best especially Wawrinka that displayed all his brilliance. Unfortunately the world no.4 had to surrender again to his incapability to keep his nerves in the decisive moments. Stan gave away the 2^nd set with a really terrible service game and he wasn’t great on his 4MPs. Probably this is the difference between the (very) best from the rest…. but what a match and well done to both!

After this win Roger leads Stan 15-2. Wawrinka has beaten him only on clay courts, both times in Monte-Carlo.

Next vs. Djokovic

Roger will play the final against Novak Djokovic. Head to head is 19-17 for Roger, but Nole leads 4-2 on indoor hard courts. The favorite is Djokovic also because Roger needs to recover from the semis (it lasted 2h and 48 minutes).

Roger can win this trophy for the 7^th time, for Nole it would be his 3^rd consecutive.

Game on!