Stan Wawrinka was a happy player in the first months of the 2014 season. The Swiss won his first major title at the Australian Open and advanced to the third Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo. His previous Masters 1000 title matches were in Rome in 2008 against Novak Djokovic and in Madrid in 2013 against Rafael Nadal.
This time Stan challenged the remaining ‘big 3′ legend in his third different Masters 1000 final on clay. For the Swiss’ first title game at this level, Stan faced compatriot Roger Federer and prevailed 4-6 7-6 6-2 in two hours and 14 minutes.
Wawrinka thus became Masters 1000 champion for the first time and won his second victory in 15 matches against Roger. The more experienced Swiss overcame an injured Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals to advance to the fourth Monte-Carlo final, his first since 2008.
Despite giving his best in sets 1 and 2, Roger once again took the upper hand. Empty-handed in the Principality, losing ground in the deciding match to propel Wawrinka to the first crown in the premium series of ATP events. Stan won eight points more than Roger and earned two breaks from just three chances offered to his rival.
The Swiss made three breaks from seven chances to take the lead in the deciding set and cross the finish line first. The young Swiss dominated his shots better to get the same number of winners and unforced errors.
At the same time, Roger committed almost twice as many fouls as wins, falling behind Stan in the mid-distance and longer rallies to finish on the losing side. Stan forced Roger into an error in game one to fend off a break chance before Federer wrapped up game two with a perfect volley to put his name on the scoreboard.
Wawrinka squandered a comeback chance in game four before sending a backhand wide in the next to lose 3-2.
Clerc talks about Roger Federer
Former Argentine player Jose Luis Clerc says Rafael Nadal will put an end to the GOAT debate for good if he wins Roland Garros this year.
Former world number 4 Clerc says Nadal is close to becoming immortal, while Roger Federer may have won his last major tournament. Clerc said: “If Nadal wins Roland Garros, he will be the greatest of all time. The one who I think won’t win another Grand Slam is Roger.
Those of us who love the sport want Federer to be forever, but he isn’t. People tell me ‘Batata, Roger is the best’, but for me, whoever wins the most Grand Slam titles will be the greatest in history”. said Clerc.
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