George Bellshaw for Metro.co.uk Federer* 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes next server) - Wawrinka saves three break points and holds T...
George Bellshaw for Metro.co.uk
Federer* 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes next server) - Wawrinka saves three break points and holds
Through a combination of two brilliant returns and a bit of a framer that gets lucky, Federer glides his way to up 0-40 and three break points. Wawrinka saves the first when Fed nets a backhand return and the second with a clinical forehand winner. And the third when Federer fluffs a backhand return off a clever Stan kick serve. An ace takes Wawrinka to advantage and game point, but he sends a forehand wide on the next point and we're back at deuce. The next two points follow the same pattern, as a Stan forehand winner is counterbalanced by a missed backhand. Wawrinka does hold though as he comes up with a pair of big serves that Fed fails to get back in play. For the first time in that game, we had a lengthy single-handed backhand to single-handed backhand exchange, and it was of course a complete joy to watch.
Federer 2-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes next server)
Wawrinka is standing further in to receive than he usually does, perhaps taking a leaf out of Nadal's book from yesterday against Raonic. The tactic allows him to take the initiative at the start of the game and get to 15-30. Federer responds with an ace down the middle to help him get to 40-30 before a missed Fed volley has us at deuce. Federer then comes up with a pair of absolutely gorgeous volleys to wrap up the game - the first a low pick-up on the backhand side, and the second a reflex effort on the forehand to somehow control a Wawrinka backhand that was bulleted towards his body. Fun start to the match.
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