Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka: duel among friends
In the third round of Indian Wells' ATP 1000 tournament, Roger Federer meets Stan Wawrinka. For the two Swiss, the 25th comparison will again be a duel among friends.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 12, 2019, 12:21 pm
Review. ATP finals in London 2014. Stan Wawrinka leads Roger Federer in the semi-finals 6: 4, 5: 7 and 5: 4 and serves to win the match. Just at the match ball of the three-time Grand Slam winner, Federer's wife Mirka describes "Stan the Man" as "Crybaby". Federer still wins the game, after which there should have been loud word battles in the cabin.
It is probably the only argument in the otherwise so picture-perfect relationship between the two Confederates. Just a week after the incident in the English capital, the two cheer together for Switzerland's Davis Cup triumph. The relationship is characterized by respect - on Wawrinka's side, it may be more than that.
Wawrinka has only been successful on sand so far
This is one of the reasons why the 33-year-old usually struggles against his opponent four years older and, with a few exceptions, always had to leave the place as a loser. Such an exception occurred three times, always on sand. Otherwise, the maestro was always victorious; the 20-time major champion won a total of 21 times against Wawrinka.
In Indian Wells there is now another meeting of the two - on hard court. Not least because of this, Federer will be the favorite in the third round duel. In addition, the fourth in the world rankings has won all three previous games in the California desert, most recently even the final in 2017.
Still, Federer should be warned about Wawrinka. The World Ranking 40. is back on the way back to the top of the world after his knee injury and was able to regain confidence in Indian Wells with two successive sentences. Especially in the second round against Marton Fucsovics "Stanimal" really had to fight, only after 3:24 hours was the 6: 4, 6: 7 (5) and 7: 5 success.
Federer with a lot of respect for Wawrinka
Federer had significantly fewer problems with Peter Gojowczyk and won 6: 1 and 7: 5. "I felt good for the first lap," said the Swiss after the encounter. The previous year's finalist was not entirely satisfied with the premium alone.
I know what he can do and how much power he has.
Roger Federer on Stan Wawrinka
Despite the clear head to head, Federer approaches the task against his compatriot with great respect: "It's hard to have to play against Stan so early in the tournament. I know what he can do and how much power he has."
The audience in Indian Wells can look forward to a real spectacle between the two friends. Only Wawrinka's state of fitness after the marathon game against Fucsovics raises small question marks. The game against Hungary would certainly leave its mark, said the 33-year-old. Nevertheless, Wawrinka is looking forward to the duel against Federer: "It will be a tough fight because he is the best player in our sport."