Wawrinka in three sets over Federer in Monte Carlo!

It is all about Stan the man today as he defeated Roger Federer in three sets in Monte Carlo, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 to claim his first ever Masters 1000 event title.  It was a strange dynamic to the match…after all these two are great friends, fellow Swiss players, and practice together all the time.  They even share Severin Luthi, (Swiss Davis Cup captain) although Luthi is on Federer’s payroll.  He has long been part of Fed’s coaching team.  He had to ask Stan if he minded if he sat in Fed’s box today.  Take nothing away from Stan, it is was almost like watching the Williams’ sisters play each other back in the day, two great players that are so close personally, it was almost painful and conflicted.  Now for me, it was not conflicted.  I truly love Wawrinka and am so happy to see him emerge at the age of 29 to the elevated status as one of the very best tennis players in the world.  But, I am always, and I mean always, pulling for Roger Federer.  It seemed today as if Roger struggled with the personal dynamics in this match more than Stan.  The rain delay which occurred in the second set certainly favored Stan, making the conditions slower with a heavier ball.  Roger took the first set, 6-4, then the second set seemed to be a bit passive, almost zombie like.  Still after breaks were exchanged, and then the brief rain delay (it was overcast and cloudy anyway), the second set still ended 6-6.  Wawrinka got the min-break and went onto to cruise to a commanding win of the tie break, thus the second set, 7-6.  The third set saw Federer lose his first service game, and then his second and the match was all but over.  Roger seemed sluggish in the third set while Stan was aggressive and energized.  Great win for Wawrinka, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 and he certainly cements himself as a solid component in the upper echelons of tennis.  The “big four” may now be Nadal, Djokovic, Wawrinka and Federer with Murray struggling with his game after his back surgery last year.  Still folks, please, I beg your pardon, but do not call Stan the new “Swiss Maestro”.  There is only one, and that is Roger Federer.  Stan has lived and played in Roger’s shadow, but also feels Roger has been a true friend and genuinely encouraging of all that Stan has accomplished, especially overjoyed to see him win his first Grand Slam title in Australia.  Roger wanted to win this title (one of the few Masters 1000 events that has eluded him) but don’t think for a moment he is not happy to see Stan’s success.  That is who Roger Federer is…and don’t think for a moment he will not be back ready to win at the next event…Madrid, Rome and even Roland Garros (depending on the birth of his third child).  Congrats to Stan…he is looking like a good shot for the French Open…Nadal is shaky, Djokovic is dealing with a wrist injury, and it remains to be seen if Roger will be in Paris or in Switzerland with the the due date still looming soon!  But do not ever count Roger Federer out…believe me, he will have a special year!  And perhaps so too, will Stan!


This entry was posted in Blog, events, sports figures, Tennis. Bookmark the permalink.