Roger Federer v Stanislas Wawrinka: ATP World Tour Finals – as it happened
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Version 0 of 1. 11.09pm GMT23:09 Well, after a week of one-sided matches, this was the showpiece that we were waiting for. Stan Wawrinka, who had looked weary and indifferent for much of the week, took this match by the scruff of the neck, and kept the inevitable Federer comeback at bay repeatedly. When it came to the crunch, poor Stan just couldn’t get over the line in the face of momentous defence from Federer. He missed four match points; Federer took his first. It looked for a time, particularly in the titanic final set, that neither play could be beaten. In the end, as always, it was the one who wasn’t Roger Federer who caved. We’ll close with a concise view from John McEnerney: Thanks for joining me. Bye! Updated at 11.14pm GMT 11.02pm GMT23:02 Roger Federer beats Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) to reach the final! That’s the thing with Federer. He only needs one. Another perfectly timed drop shot, and it’s game over. How has Roger Federer won this match?! 11.01pm GMT23:01 Third set tie-break: Federer* 7-6 Wawrinka A dazzling drop shot from Federer does for Wawrinka, and now it’s Federer’s turn to have match point... 11.00pm GMT23:00 Third set tie-break: Federer* 6-6 Wawrinka Federer’s first serve is far too strong. The players change ends. Will this ever end? Maybe they could both play in the final against Djokovic, Blockbusters style? 10.59pm GMT22:59 Third set tie-break: Federer 5-6 Wawrinka* When Wawrinka can get Federer into a rally, he’s been accurate enough to grind him down. He does so again to level up at 5-5. On the second, Federer attempts a chip-and-charge, but finds the net. Another match point for Wawrinka, on the Federer serve... Updated at 10.59pm GMT 10.57pm GMT22:57 Third set tie-break: Federer* 5-4 Wawrinka A routine first point puts Federer two points from victory – but what’s this? Wawrinka refuses to give in, and forces an error from Federer. We’re back on serve. This is getting silly. 10.56pm GMT22:56 Third set tie-break: Federer 4-3 Wawrinka* Federer looks to have blown a big chance as he gets under a passing shot down the line – but it drops on the very edge of the line! Wawrinka challenges, but no dice. Wawrinka fires in an ace at the vital moment, but Federer leads 4-3, on serve. 10.54pm GMT22:54 Third set tie-break: Federer* 3-2 Wawrinka Is Federer about to take this? Not if Wawrinka can help it. After Federer claims another point on serve, he drills another cross-court backhand that flies an inch over the net and an inch inside the baseline. He’s made it look routine. It isn’t. 10.53pm GMT22:53 Third set tie-break: Federer 2-1 Wawrinka* Wawrinka clutches his thigh as he slips 2-0 down, but recovers to keep himself in this tie-break, keeping his shots low and forcing Federer to net. 10.51pm GMT22:51 Third set tie-break: Federer* 1-0 Wawrinka Federer tucks away the first point of the Grand Swiss-Off with a tidy cross-court winner. Updated at 10.52pm GMT 10.51pm GMT22:51 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 6-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Just to clarify, we will go to a tie-break if Wawrinka can hold. I genuinely fear for his sanity if he doesn’t. And he’s in a spot of bother again, wafting cheaply at a volley to bring up 15-30. A drilled winner puts him on terms, and Federer nets to hand him game point. I’m not even sure Federer wants to see his compatriot choke here – and he nets to hand Wawrinka the game. Tie-break time! 10.46pm GMT22:46 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 6-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) What resilience from Wawrinka, drilling a tenth backhand winner, followed up with a heat-seeking cross-court forehand for 30-0. For a man who should by all accounts be curled into the foetal position, gently weeping, that’s impressive stuff. The pressure gets to Federer now, as he misses a simple winner to hand Wawrinka two break points! Federer saves the first with a textbook first serve – and Wawrinka nets on second serve. Deuce. Wawrinka has to take one of these chances. Stan, a bit hot and bothered after those missed break points, rants at the umpire then hits a return long. Game point Federer, Wawrinka nets, and Federer leads for the first time! 10.40pm GMT22:40 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 5-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) A third match point for Wawrinka as Federer goes long – but Federer is always in control of the point, and saves it with just his second forehand winner of the night. A vicious backhand is too hot for Wawrinka, and it’s Federer’s second break point. After a nervous rally, Wawrinka nets! Good grief. We’re level again! 10.37pm GMT22:37 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Federer gets a break point as Wawrinka tightens up and finds the net. This would be a body blow to Wawrinka, it goes without saying – but his defence is so gutsy, repeatedly landing the ball close to the baseline before punching home a winner. A volleyed drop-shot looks to be landing on Federer’s racket – but he can’t connect, and it’s a second match point. He has a chance to put away a volley and end this madness, but slaps it into the net. Eight minutes, this game. Eight minutes. We’re back to deuce. 10.33pm GMT22:33 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) You sense this final hold won’t come easy for our Stan, and that theory is borne out as he puts a nervous forehand long for 15-15. Another fierce body serve draws the error from Federer, and Wawrinka is two points away. Stan then takes a wild swing at a forehand down the line, and it’s 30-30. Federer limply nets a return though, and it’s match point - but Federer saves it with a looping passing shot off second serve! Deuce... 10.27pm GMT22:27 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Federer takes the first point, but Wawrinka snares the next, attacking Federer’s backhand mercilessly. Federer stays predictably cool, landing big first serves to hoover up the next two points. There then follows a bizarre rally, with Wawrinka repeatedly heaving back Federer’s sliced, spinning shots, until Federer appears to give up, lofting one right onto Wawrinka’s racket. It doesn’t really matter, as Federer takes the game on the next point. Stanislas Wawrinka will now serve for the set. 10.23pm GMT22:23 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 3-5* Wawrinka (*denotes server) Wawrinka takes the first point with another cross-court drive that Federer can only watch go by. The next two points go the other way, and Wawrinka is in a spot of bother on serve again – but heaves himself out, staying close to the baseline and forcing the mistake out of his opponent. Another rally sees Federer hanging on for dear life – but he gets the break point as Wawrinka goes wide! Federer senses his chance, unleashing a forehand cross-court shot... and it lands about a millimetre out. Deuce. It’s advantage Federer as he tucks away a looping Wawrinka return – but Stan saves with a mishit volley. He’s quick to apologise rather meekly to his countryman. Stand up for yourself, Stan! Wawrinka gets to game point, but nets. This one could go on for a while yet. A precise sliced shot gives Wawrinka another chance – and that’s the game, as Federer sends a return high and wide. 10.13pm GMT22:13 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Wawrinka gets to 0-30 on Federer’s serve with another clean backhand winner, and you sense that the great champion may be eyeing the towel. Of course, he reels off three straight points with the ease that makes you wonder how he’s in this mess. Wawrinka gets to deuce, then goes long to give Federer the advantage. He needs to hold here, for obvious reasons. He does, as Wawrinka goes long again. Just under two hours played; Wawrinka needs two more games. Updated at 10.17pm GMT 10.09pm GMT22:09 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 2-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Through much of this match, the story has been Federer trying to find a way to beat his compatriot. Truth be told, there might not be a way tonight. Wawrinka fights tooth and nail to rescue a lost point at 15-0, and from there, he romps away from a weary Federer. A hold to love, and a mighty welcome one. 10.05pm GMT22:05 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 2-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server) At 30-0 down, Wawrinka restores parity with a Papa Federer style swipe straight at his opponent, followed up with a cross-courter that gets a little help from the net cord. Federer keeps fighting, as is his style, and he holds again. 10.01pm GMT22:01 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) The first two points are shared, but a wild backhand from Wawrinka gives Federer the advantage. He can’t take it, as a 131mph first serve takes care of business. The only time cracks have shown in Wawrinka’s game have been on serve, but he outlasts Federer again to bring up game point, and Federer goes long. Wawrinka has bounced back quite brilliantly from tanking at the end of the second set. 9.57pm GMT21:57 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 1-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Federer puts his ire to good use, tearing into Wawrinka with his first serve to reach 40-0. Wawrinka drills another backhand into the corner, just to remind Roger he’s there, but the next point does for him. Federer is on the board in this third set, but he’s behind again in this match. 9.55pm GMT21:55 Third set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 0-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) We’ve seen the many faces of Angry Roger in the last few minutes: arguing in French, shouting at himself in German, and challenging petulantly on game point. None of it fazes Wawrinka, who seals the game with another cross-court ripper. It was an odd moment that gave Wawrinka this chance; credit to him for keeping his cool while his opponent is manifestly losing his. 9.52pm GMT21:52 Third set: Federer* 4-6, 7-5 0-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Bizarre scenes here, as the umpire overrules a wide call against Wawrinka. To everyone’s surprise, Federer doesn’t challenge. Wawrinka moves to 0-40 before Federer realises that the umpire overruled the call! Federer, labouring under the impression that he is only 15-30 down, didn’t hear the original call, and is furious. Wawrinka takes the game at the second attempt. For a 17-time Grand Slam champion, not hearing the umpire is a rookie mistake. Although the umpire got it totally wrong. Nobody’s covered themselves in glory, here. Updated at 10.06pm GMT 9.45pm GMT21:45 Roger Federer wins the second set 7-5 to make it 1-1 in sets Second set: Federer 4-6, 7-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Wow. At 0-15, Federer somehow gets a racket to a cross-court shot, and Wawrinka can only fumble the return netwards. From there, it’s disintegration time for Stan, as he nets a routine smash, then a forehand, to hand Federer the set. It’s a decider! Updated at 9.47pm GMT 9.40pm GMT21:40 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 6-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Perhaps Stan is holding on for the tie-break, because he’s struggling to make any impression on Federer’s serve now. A hold to love is confirmed with a none-more-Federer chipped volley down the line. Updated at 9.40pm GMT 9.39pm GMT21:39 Second set: Federer 4-6, 5-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) After the attritional warfare of his last two service games, Wawrinka races to 30-0, drops back to 30-15, then double faults once more! Another first serve is inches out, but on the second serve, Federer’s forehand lets him down as he nets the return. Wawrinka seals the game with a low drive into the corner. Mistakes from both parties – can Federer put it all together in time? 9.33pm GMT21:33 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 5-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server) By contrast, Federer gets to 40-0 in around 27 seconds, before Wawrinka nails his fifth backhand winner (is that all?) to stay in the game. His next return isn’t so impressive though, and he’ll now serve to stay in the set. 9.31pm GMT21:31 Second set: Federer 4-6, 4-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Wawrinka is mithering in the direction of the umpire about crowd noise – possibly a lack of it, given the masses of Swiss flags around the o2. The perils of being Switzerland’s second best tennis player. After sharing the first two points, Wawrinka moves to 30-15 with another unstoppable first serve, but he fudges a drop shot and it’s 30-30. Stick to power, Stan – which he does with a body serve and a ripping forehand that has Federer sprawling. He goes long on the next point though, and it’s deuce once again. Stan’s search for consistency continues, as he surrenders a hard-won advantage with his 12th unforced error of the set. Again, he finds perfect length on his groundstrokes, and Federer nets. Wawrinka finally sees the game off, as Federer gets under his second serve and goes well long. His level has dropped from the first set, but he’s still here – and he’s now two games from the final... 9.23pm GMT21:23 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 4-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server) What now for Federer? He’s been far from his unplayable best, but has still posed his compatriot plenty of questions – all of which have been answered. Wawrinka fires another backhand missile from a short groundstroke, and it’s 30-30. Stan nearly brings up a break point with a passing shot – but Federer twists and flicks a cross-court volley! Next point, same opportunity – but this time Wawrinka finds the line for deuce. The first rally on deuce is the best of the match, but Wawrinka can’t find the line this time. There’s a pattern emerging. Federer nets to surrender his advantage, but two huge first serves give him the game. This Swiss-off could be headed for a pivotal tie-break. 9.17pm GMT21:17 Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Federer goes on the front foot, and races to 15-40. It feels like momentum is with the Swiss No.1 now, but Wawrinka saves the first, and Federer nets a simple return! It’s deuce, then break point as Wawrinka balloons a forehand. Federer can’t find a way through, and Wawrinka takes the next two points, winning a challenge on his first serve in the process. Federer finds the net off another big serve, and somehow, Stan Wawrinka has not been broken. 9.08pm GMT21:08 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Federer gets a rare chance to approach the net at 30-15, and bewilders Wawrinka with a chip. The net might be the answer for Roger – if he can get there often enough. He tries it again on the next point, but Stan haughtily dispatches his next attempt. Federer gets over the line on the next point, as his opponent nets a return. Updated at 9.10pm GMT 9.05pm GMT21:05 Second set: Federer 4-6, 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Not so long ago, Wawrinka possessed a mind with the fortitude of saturated cake. Not tonight. Another routine hold keeps Wawrinka in the lead, with Federer still unable to offer any kind of answer to the groundstrokes coming over the net. Updated at 9.06pm GMT 9.01pm GMT21:01 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Wawrinka’s level has dropped from 5-2 ahead in the first set, but Federer still seems to be stuck in second gear. The longer that continues, the more Wawrinka will believe he can smite his shadow, and become king of all Switzerland. A scrappy game sees Federer bluster his way to another hold, despite Wawrinka continuing to offer a threat on the backhand side. Updated at 9.06pm GMT 8.58pm GMT20:58 Second set: Federer 4-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Stan’s tactic so far has largely involved hitting the ball very hard into the corners – but he’s a touch timid in the opening stages, and thwacks a forehand wide for 15-30. He rallies to 30-all, before Federer clanks one off the frame, letting out a frustrated howl as he does so. That gives Wawrinka a much-needed boost, and he seals the game with some more backhand bludgeoning. Updated at 9.06pm GMT 8.53pm GMT20:53 Second set: Federer* 4-6, 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Federer has to improve in this second set, and find some way to quell the metal-fuelled tornado on the other side of the net. It’s a decent start, as Federer works the ball around, trying to unpick Wawrinka’s gameplan. It’s an easy hold; now the real work starts. Updated at 9.05pm GMT 8.49pm GMT20:49 Stanislas Wawrinka wins the first set 6-4! First set: Federer 4-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Wawrinka fires in a first serve, and it earns him the point... then he double faults again! Stan, Stan, Stan. This is a problem entirely of his own making. Another big first serve into Federer’s body makes it 30-15. Wawrinka is 10/10 on first serves, when he gets the ruddy ball in – but even on second serve, he has enough to fool Federer, who goes wide! Two set points – and he takes the first at the third attempt, after Federer chases down two attempted winners. Game very much on. 8.44pm GMT20:44 First set: Federer* 4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) The best rally of the match at 0-15, as Federer follows up an overhead smash with a steely drop shot, and Wawrinka nets the return. Two more aces and another undercooked return, and the pressure is well and truly on for Wawrinka. Updated at 8.46pm GMT 8.42pm GMT20:42 First set: Federer 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Federer has been impeccable this week, but he’s struggling so far. Those two breaks, by the way, are the first against the Federer serve all week. What an absurd statistic. He fights his way to 0-30 here though, before netting a presentable backhand. Wawrinka then picks a really, really bad time to double fault, and Federer has two break points! Wawrinka’s first serve disintegrates as the game goes along, and Federer punches away a second serve to break straight back. 8.38pm GMT20:38 First set: Federer* 2-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server) More power and spin from Wawrinka to take the first point, before Federer rallies with two smart aces. It’s forehand v backhand on the next point, with Wawrinka prevailing. At 30-30, Federer bunts one into the net, and it’s another break point. On second serve, Wawrinka lashes the ball from whence it came – and it’s a double break! Roger returns to his chair, frantically scrolling through his iPod to stick Napalm Death on. 8.34pm GMT20:34 First set: Federer 2-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Some things Wawrinka had to do to not get a hiding tonight: 1. Get first serves in and win the point; 2. Keep his groundstrokes close to the baseline; 3. Use his backhand whenever possible. All three are in evidence as Stan moves 4-2 up with minimum fuss. Two more games for the first set... 8.31pm GMT20:31 First set: Federer* 2-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server) Straightforward for Federer, racing to 40-0 before Wawrinka can home in on his serve, then putting the game to bed at the second attempt. In other news, Premier League legend Brad Friedel has just been caught sighing in the crowd. 8.28pm GMT20:28 First set: Federer 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Federer takes the first point, but a 131mph serve makes it 15-all. Another two booming aces, either side of a mishit, and it’s 40-30. Another fierce, probing shot from Wawrinka – this time off the forehand side – and Federer can only net the return. Terrific start from Wawrinka! It must have been the ear-splitting music. 8.23pm GMT20:23 First set: Federer* 1-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server) At 15-0, Wawrinka is able to open up that backhand a touch, and forces Federer to go long. Another error gives Stan the advantage, but he hits wide. Surprisingly scrappy in the early stages – but Wawrinka brings up a break point, working Rog all over the court before tucking away the winner. 30-40... and after a series of expertly weighted forehands, Stan turns up the heat, and Federer nets! Well, I never. 8.19pm GMT20:19 First set: Federer 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server) Wawrinka takes the first point on his serve, but goes long again to make it 15-15. Federer gets lucky with a net cord bounce, but grabs the point with an exquisite lob. Wawrinka rallies to take the next two points, before Federer misses a chance at a winner off a very short return. One-all. 8.15pm GMT20:15 First set: Federer* 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server) About as routine as it gets for Federer – he cruises to 40-15 as Wawrinka repeatedly hits the ball just long, before punching away a winner to take the game. 8.13pm GMT20:13 They’re underway. Federer to serve first. It’s a Swiss off! 8.12pm GMT20:12 The players are knocking up now, with play imminent. The one-sided nature of this rivalry isn’t all in the mind – Wawrinka’s style, hitting from behind the baseline, has routinely played into Federer’s experienced hands. Stan will need to start well, and put his opponent under pressure from the get go. Can he? Maybe. Probably not. 8.06pm GMT20:06 The players are out on the court after the bombastic North Greenwich welcome that I’m sure you’re familiar with by now. The cheers for Wawrinka are warm, but totally outdone by the reception for Federer, who has been well supported all week. Poor Stan! 8.02pm GMT20:02 A few words from both players before they head onto court. Stan has been playing “loud music” and is “pumped”. Roger didn’t listen to any music, but he’s cool with Stan doing it. These two are great friends apparently, which for some reason, might affect their ability to play tennis against each other. 7.57pm GMT19:57 Lots of chatter in the commentary box about the rise of the ‘super coaches’ - a cabal of former players who are handing down their wisdom to today’s breed. In Federer’s corner tonight is verified super coach Stefan Edberg, while Stan Wawrinka is backed by another Swede in former World No. 2 Magnus Norman. Meanwhile, here’s Charles from Hammersmith: What’s wrong with being Liverpool’s second-finest 60s beat combo, The Searchers? Will Stan get Needles And Pins When Roger Walks Into The Room....etc. Needles and Pins is a lovely song. If Stan Wawrinka is really tennis’s answer to these, he has a lot to live up to. 7.49pm GMT19:49 The head-to-head record makes grim reading for Stan Wawrinka. It currently reads 14-2 in Federer’s favour. A Djokovic-Federer, No.1 vs. No.2 final tomorrow would be a logical conclusion to the season, and Federer starts as a firm favourite. If Wawrinka wants to progress, he might need to take a leaf out of Papa Federer’s book, and simply lash the ball straight at him: Updated at 7.49pm GMT 7.41pm GMT19:41 Atmosphere building at the o2, albeit gradually. The funky blue lasers will help when they kick in. A reminder that tonight’s winner will play Novak Djokovic, who gave Kei Nishikori a peculiar three-set pummeling this afternoon. If, like around 5% of the o2 crowd, you’re interested in the doubles, tomorrow’s final will feature the USA’s all-conquering Bryan Brothers against Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo, the No.7 seeds. 7.32pm GMT19:32 You can keep your X-Factors and your Stars in Their Eyes – nothing, and I mean nothing, says Saturday night entertainment like a bit of tennis. It’s tennis night! 7.00pm GMT19:00 Preamble Good evening. Being Switzerland’s second-best tennis player must be a bit like being Liverpool’s second-finest 60s beat combo. Poor Stanislas Wawrinka has played out his career in the immaculate shadow of Roger Federer – but now, he’s closer than ever to his compatriot. Stan is the only (Swiss) man to pick up a major this year, and has risen to World No.4. Finalist Novak Djokovic aside, these are the best two players in the tournament, as the o2 has witnessed a ruthless separation of wheat from chaff this week. Wawrinka’s rise from what we’ll call ‘the Gasquet zone’ to actually winning things has also helped Big Fed – next weekend, both will feature heavily as Switzerland play France in the Davis Cup final, searching for a first ever win. In short, Stan Wawrinka is far more than the answer to a pub quiz question. Beat his shadow, then join him, and Wawrinka can still pocket two huge trophies in the next seven days. And if he does, he’ll still be Switzerland’s second-best tennis player. Oh Stan! |