Federer Holds Off Wawrinka To Reach Aussie Final

January 26, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
federer crop 2_1
Photo Credit: Lee Seidner

Roger Federer advanced to the sixth Australian open final of his career on Thursday, holding off a late surge from fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka for the 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

Both players were dominant on serve in the opening set until 6-5, when Federer recorded the only break of the set and won the opener on his first set point.

In the second set, Federer relinquished nothing on his own serve and got the decisive break he needed for a 4-2 lead, going on to serve out the second set and take a commanding two-sets-to-love lead.

Wawrinka would earn his first break of the match to jump ahead 3-1 in the third set and seemed to be turning the match around. He broke again to take a 5-1 lead and served it out in the next game to keep his hopes alive.

The 2014 champion then broke to open up the fourth set, only to have Federer break back immediately to knot things at 1-1.  But Wawrinka continued to pluck away at Federer’s service games and would break again for 5-4, consolidating it with a hold to force the match into a deciding fifth set.

Just before the set, Federer took a medical timeout for his leg.

“I felt tightness throughout the match, and I felt like it slowed me down,” said Federer. “I just hoped that maybe having the physio work on it, that it would make me feel better. But it didn’t. It’s not something I’m necessarily really worried about in any way. So that’s a good thing.”

In the decisive set, Federer broke for the 4-2 advantage and it was the only one he needed. He saved the two break points he faced in the final set to survive the Wawrinka comeback.

“I know I will have a chance to win on Sunday now. That’s a great position to be in,” said Federer. “That’s a great position to be in. Regardless of who it’s going to be against, I think it’s going to be special either way. One is going to go for his first Slam or it’s the epic battle with Rafa. All I care about is that I can win on Sunday. It doesn’t matter who’s across the net.”

Federer now waits to see who he will play, either Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov in the final as he seeks his fifth career title down under. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition