Monte Carlo Masters: Ambitious Wawrinka defeats Federer

With French Open in sight, third seed triumphs over Swiss compatriot.

MONTE CARLO:

Stanislas Wawrinka signalled his French Open ambitions when he beat Roger Federer 4-6 7-6 (5) 6-2 in an all-Swiss Monte Carlo Masters final on Sunday.

Third seed and Australian Open champion Wawrinka recovered from the loss of the opening set to claim his maiden Masters title on the Monte Carlo clay just six weeks before the start of the May 25-June 8 grand slam tournament in Paris.

“I am really happy, after having won a first grand slam title to win a Masters, it’s outstanding,” Wawrinka told a courtside interviewer.

“Roger, you’re the best player ever, it’s always special for me to play against you and I hope we will have a great year, you and me.”



Federer, whose only defeat in 14 previous encounters against Wawrinka had occurred in Monte Carlo in 2009, said: “I had a great week. Congratulations to Stan, I hope it will continue for you like that for years.”

Fourth seed Federer, who had beaten an injured Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, was his brilliant old self for almost an hour but the 17-times grand slam champion was eventually overwhelmed by his opponent’s power.

Wawrinka played with great depth and power as Federer was eventually pushed back far from his baseline and was prevented from attacking. Federer saw off a break point in the fourth game, Wawrinka banging his racket on his head in frustration after his passing shot went long.

Federer was more composed, breaking for 3-2 as Wawrinka’s usually reliable backhand sailed long. Another long backhand from Wawrinka gave Federer the opening set after 42 minutes.

Wawrinka opened a 2-0 lead in the second set, only for his opponent to steal his serve straight back with a stunning backhand down the line passing shot. Federer saved more break points in the fourth game, including one with a superb forehand winner as the second set went into a tiebreak.

Federer saved two set points before Wawrinka finally finished it off with a smash. Wawrinka broke in the first game of the decider with a forehand winner down the line as Federer looked disorientated. Federer went to the net to save another break point at 2-0, but a crosscourt forehand earned Wawrinka a second break and a 3-0 lead.

He followed up on serve and Federer never threatened a comeback, bowing out on yet another forehand winner by Wawrinka.

Switzerland’s Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi sat in the Federer box with no complaints from Wawrinka.

“It was a good week for me,” said Federer, now 0-4 in Monte Carlo finals after losing three to Rafael Nadal 2006-2008.

The Swiss pair hugged after Wawrinka’s victory. It was the seventh title of his career, while the third title this year after trophies at Chennai and Melbourne in January.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2014.

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