By Chris Oddo | Saturday, November 21, 2015
Roger Federer notched another convincing win on Saturday, taking down Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to reach the final.
Photo Source: CameraSport
In a rematch of last year’s controversial semifinal in London, the result produced a rematch of a final that never happened. Roger Federer eased past his buddy Stan Wawrinka, 7-5, 6-3, to set up a rematch of last year’s final with Novak Djokovic, one that saw Djokovic win by walkover when Federer was forced to pull out with back troubles.
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Federer and Wawrinka, who finished last year’s dramatic tilt with a war of words in the locker room, ended this year’s battle on decidedly different terms. The pair exchanged a warm embrace at the net after Federer’s third win in four matches with Wawrinka this season.
Wawrinka can celebrate another successful season, one that saw him net his second career Grand Slam title, while Federer must focus on trying to achieve the difficult task of defeating Novak Djokovic twice in one week.
Federer snapped the Serb’s 23-match winning streak with a 7-5, 6-2 victory, but he’ll have to repeat the feat on Sunday at the O2 Arena if he is to have a chance to retain the year-end No. 2 ranking and claim his record seventh World Tour Finals title.
“He’s had a tremendous year, another great semi against Rafa today,” Federer said of facing Djokovic in the final. “I know it’s going to be difficult tomorrow but I’ll give it all I have. It’s the last match of the season but I’m sure going to leave it on the court tomorrow.”
On Saturday Federer hit his stride after a shaky start, rebounding from a break deficit in the first set to win five of the final six games to gain the edge.
Wawrinka only made four forays to the net in that opening set but his last two stung him the most as Federer rifled back-to-back forehand passes to notch the break in the 12th game.
After a break to move ahead 2-0 in set two, Federer didn’t let up. But Wawrinka, who finishes the season with a record of 55-18 and four titles, did not go quietly. He saved two break points to hold for 1-3, then saved a match point to hold for 3-5, but he was only ultimately delaying the inevitable.
Federer held at love to seal the match in 71 minutes as a Wawrinka backhand sailed long, setting up a dream final between the two players who have ruled tennis in the second half of 2015.
Notes, Numbers
Federer and Djokovic are playing a final for the seventh time this season. Djokovic leads 4-2, and 4-3 overall.
Federer won 24 of 32 points at net, hitting 30 winners vs. 19 unforced errors. Wawrinka hit 21 winners vs. 27 unforced errors.
Federer leads the career H2H with Djokovic, 22-21. Djokovic had the chance to gain the upper hand in their rivalry for the first time this week.
Federer improves to 63-10 on the season. He will bid for his 7th title of the season (89th of career) on Sunday.
Six-time World Tour Finals champion Federer has a career record of 52-11 at the event. He was won more titles than any other player.
Djokovic is bidding to become the first player to ever win four straight titles at the World Tour Finals. He owns four titles lifetime.