The battle for a place in the final of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will see at least one Swiss contender, as Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka face each other on Saturday night.
Wawrinka needed just three games in his final round robin match against US Open champion Marin Cilic, who had really not made much of an impact in this tournament. Although he started with a solid enough initial hold, it was the break in the fourth game that handed Wawrinka his place in the final.
He qualifies behind two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, who not only finished at the top of the group with three straight wins, but denied Federer the opportunity to capture the year-end No. 1 title.
Although Wawrinka had been completely humbled in his match against Djokovic, he started with the same focus and intent he had showed against Tomas Berdych in the opening round, after what had largely been a lack-lustre post US Open swing.
Wawrinka has scored two wins over his compatriot over the years, both coming on the clay of Monte Carlo, and his most recent this year backed up his Australian Win with his first Masters 1000 title
However, trailing Federer 14-2 in their head to head, Federer has been supreme on the hard courts, and although his serving may not have been as effective in his trouncing over Andy Murray in their final round-robin match, his movement and anticipation has been pin sharp and rock solid.
Wawrinka played well in his final round robin match but it is hard to gauge against Cilic who has played patchily all week, and against Berdych whose game had been nowhere near the court in their opener.
The most we can hope for is that Stan can at least make this competitive and their two most recent hard court bouts have gone the distance. But in all probably expect Federer to book a later flight to Lille as he will have a date on Sunday.
Federer and Wawrinka are scheduled on Centre Court, not before 8pm (GMT).
Wawrinka needed just three games in his final round robin match against US Open champion Marin Cilic, who had really not made much of an impact in this tournament. Although he started with a solid enough initial hold, it was the break in the fourth game that handed Wawrinka his place in the final.
He qualifies behind two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, who not only finished at the top of the group with three straight wins, but denied Federer the opportunity to capture the year-end No. 1 title.
Although Wawrinka had been completely humbled in his match against Djokovic, he started with the same focus and intent he had showed against Tomas Berdych in the opening round, after what had largely been a lack-lustre post US Open swing.
Wawrinka has scored two wins over his compatriot over the years, both coming on the clay of Monte Carlo, and his most recent this year backed up his Australian Win with his first Masters 1000 title
However, trailing Federer 14-2 in their head to head, Federer has been supreme on the hard courts, and although his serving may not have been as effective in his trouncing over Andy Murray in their final round-robin match, his movement and anticipation has been pin sharp and rock solid.
Wawrinka played well in his final round robin match but it is hard to gauge against Cilic who has played patchily all week, and against Berdych whose game had been nowhere near the court in their opener.
The most we can hope for is that Stan can at least make this competitive and their two most recent hard court bouts have gone the distance. But in all probably expect Federer to book a later flight to Lille as he will have a date on Sunday.
Federer and Wawrinka are scheduled on Centre Court, not before 8pm (GMT).
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