Federer defeats Wawrinka to reach ATP World Tour final
LONDON: Roger Federer made it look easy Saturday night as he defeated countryman Stan Wawrinka in the semifinal round of the ATP World Tour finals, 7-5, 6-3.
The win sets up a championship meeting with No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who moved on with a win over Rafael Nadal earlier Saturday, 6-3, 6-3.
The atmosphere in the arena is so different from what fans might expect to find at a tennis match in London, with blue lighting flooding the seats, a nearly-flourescent blue court, flashing lights everytime a player records an ace, and sell-out crowds as rowdy as those at the U.S. Open. Overall, it's a giant party to end the ATP season.
Wawrinka led Federer by a break midway through the first set, but that was as good as it would get for the younger Swiss. Federer brought the match back on serve, then broke in the final game to take the first. He played a clean second set, jumping to a quick 3-0 lead and not looking back.
Djokovic has claimed the last three titles here, with two of those wins coming over Federer (though last year's win came when Federer withdrew prior to the match, due to a back injury). After Saturday's win, the Serb called this the "best season of his life." He's looking to become the first player in history to take four ATP World Tour championship titles in a row.
Federer holds six titles here, claimed in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011. He holds a 22-21 lead in their career head-to-head, including a 7-5, 6-2 win earlier this week in round robin play.
"For me it's an advantage because I guess it gives me a bit of confidence. For him it's an advantage because he gets a second chance, and he's in another final," Federer said in his post-match press conference.
Regardless, Federer knows he has a tough task ahead of him.
"He's played some great tennis since we've played," he said. "So, yeah, I still believe his confidence is slightly higher than mine with the amount of success he's had this year."
The match is scheduled for 6p.m. local time.
