Video: Stanimal Takes out the Carving Knife against Federer in Monte-Carlo

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Video: Stanimal Takes out the Carving Knife against Federer in Monte-Carlo

Stan Wawrinka didn't play the best first set against Roger Federer in Sunday's Monte-Carlo Rolex final—he hit 17 unforced errors against only 11 winners—but this regal bit of curvature (carvature?) off the backside of Wawrinka's Yonex was surely one of the shots of the week in the Principality.

Monte-Carlo Hot Shots: Federer's One-Handed Wizardry | Dimitrov's Curling Forehand | Seppi's Tweener | Robredo's Dropper

Watch as Wawrinka delicately feathers the ball into a nether-region on the court where not even the fleet-footed Federer would dare to chase it. Funny, but it's difficult to get a clear idea of just how mind-bogglingly good this shot is until one sees the third or fourth replay.

The penultimate replay on this clip is our favorite: Wawrinka does such a nice job of tracking the ball, moving into position, then making the bunt, it almost looks easy—dare we say lucky?—as he connects on the no-look volley.

Most of Wawrinka's play was physical and heavy this afternoon—it's how he took the play to Federer in the final two sets of the final to claim his first career Masters 1000 title and second win in 15 tries against his compatriot—but this exquisite shot shows the full breadth of the 29-year-old's talent.

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