French Open: Semifinals - Roger Federer wrestles Stan Wawrinka
Roger Federer is in the semi-finals when he first entered the French Open in 2015. The Swiss defeated his compatriot Stan Wawrinka 7: 6 (4), 4: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 4.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 04, 2019, 07:04 pm
By Jens Huiber from Paris
It is true, of course, that Roger Federer's tennis life does not change significantly on a Tuesday afternoon in Paris, regardless of whether he wins his quarter-final match against Stan Wawrinka or not. Nevertheless: The ease with which Federer contests his last training session shortly before noon is almost something sublime. Daniel Troxler, the physiotherapist to whom the maestro shoots the balls at the speed of the competition, almost gets the most sweaty. Troxler cannot actually catch all of them.
Lightness was only felt in phases in the 26th encounter with Wawrinka - Federer nevertheless mastered the first really difficult test in the tournament with 7: 6 (4), 4: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 4. Now there is Rafael Nadal, a man against whom the 37-year-old Swiss has never won in Paris.
# BETATHOMEFOWIN #
Federer wins in the tie-break
Set one took a balanced course, Federer was much closer to the break as a setback, but still had three chances. But only one at a time, Wawrinka fights back with concentration. A tie breaker had to make the decision, Federer initially gave a mini break lead again - but won 7: 4.
In the second set, the first break early - astonishingly for Wawrinka, who was able to turn a 40:15 at Federer's serve to make it 2-1. That was enough for the 2015 champion for now: Wawrinka equalized with 6: 4 after 96 minutes.
Wawrinka fends off break chances
The three-time major winner was now better in the match, dictating more and more from the baseline. And came in the seventh game for the first break in round three. Federer struck back immediately, winning Wawrinka's serve for the first time in over two hours. And a few moments later, he scored two set balls. The Wawrinka, however, defended itself. Federer also got into trouble in the eleventh game, but took the lead with 6: 5 after almost ten minutes and the defense of two breakballs.
But: tiebreak again. In which Federer quickly got a 5: 1 lead, at 6: 5 put a second serve on the line. Wawrinka's return landed on the net.
70-minute rain break
In 2015 Federer and Wawrinka played against each other in the same stadium and tournament stage, Federer did not win a set, Stan even the entire event afterwards. In the fourth set, Federer continued to waste his chances of break. Wawrinka withstood the pressure, especially since a rain front was heading towards the Stade Roland Garros, which made a break very likely. An urgently needed break for Wawrinka, who had run a more than five-hour marathon against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
At 3: 3, both players briefly agreed with referee Wayne McEwan - and cleared the field. After the 70-minute break, Federer finally managed to use one of his numerous break chances - for 5: 4. And the winner of 2009 served again with a lot of effort after 3:36 hours of play. For the first semi-finals in Roland Garros since 2012.