Federer beats Djokovic, to face Wawrinka in Monte-Carlo final

Written by: Staff on 19th April 2014

Monte Carlo Masters in Roquebrune Cap Martin

Federer beats Djokovic, to face Wawrinka in Monte-Carlo final

epa04172694 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their semi final match at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 19 April 2014. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER |

By Ricky Dimon

There will be a first-time champion at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in 2014, and for the first time since 2004 the man lifting the winner’s trophy will be someone other than Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

One day after Nadal was bounced out of the tournament by David Ferrer, Roger Federer scored a 7-5, 6-2 semifinal victory over defending champ Novak Djokovic. Plagued by a right wrist injury, Djokovic still managed to earn two set points with his opponent serving at 4-5, 15-40 in the opener. After Federer won the next four points to hold serve, it was all but over.

The second-ranked Serb surrendered the next two games to lose the first set and in the second he did little more than spin in his first serve (81 percent serving). Federer broke twice and lost a mere five points in his four service games.

“Of course, I did see that Novak was struggling at one point,” said the 32-year-old. “For me it was more just making sure that from my side I was playing a good, solid, tough match with some good defensive play sometimes, but mostly trying to stay on the offensive as much as I could. I think I was able to deliver from my side, which is key.”

Next up for Federer is an all-Swiss final against Stanislas Wawrinka, who downed David Ferrer 6-1, 7-6(3) earlier in the day.

“He started (the match) playing unbelievable,” Ferrer said of Wawrinka. “I didn’t have any option to stop him. I didn’t return serve very well. In the second set, he made a few more mistakes. I played with more power on my forehand. But, anyway, Stan was better.”

Wawrinka is 1-13 lifetime against Federer, but his lone win came at this same Monte-Carlo event in 2009, when the underdog prevailed 6-4, 7-5. They have not faced each other since last year’s Indian Wells Masters, where Federer won in three sets.

Guillermo Coria (2004) is the last man other than Nadal or Djokovic to capture this title. Nadal then won eight in a row before Djokovic triumphed last season.

Topics: Federer, Monte Carlo, Novak Djokovic, Rafa, Ricky Dimon, Tennis, Wawrinka

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10sBalls_com says:

April 19, 2014 at 5:27 pm

Federer beats Djokovic, to face Wawrinka in Monte-Carlo final – http://t.co/1eUNRhPKrT @rogerfederer @DjokerNole @stanwawrinka #tennis

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