Stan Wawrinka eliminates Andy Murray at ATP Finals in London to set up Federer showdown
Swiss eases to two-set victory over Briton to make semi-finals
Stan Wawrinka booked a potentially feisty all-Swiss semi-final clash against Roger Federer after knocking Andy Murray out of the ATP Tour Finals with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 victory on Friday.
Wawrinka’s victory sealed second place behind group winner Rafael Nadal and the world number four will play six-time champion Federer in a rematch of last year’s stormy semi-final at the prestigious season-ending event at London’s O2 Arena.
Federer won that meeting in three sets after saving four match points, but the game is mostly remembered for reports of a heated post-match row between the players which was allegedly sparked by Federer’s wife Mirka heckling Wawrinka and calling him a “crybaby”.
I played a crazy match against Roger in the semi-finals last year. I will try and go and get some rest and be ready
“I’m excited to be back for the semi-finals. It was tough battle,” Wawrinka said.
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“I played a crazy match against Roger in the semi-finals last year. I will try and go and get some rest and be ready.”
Defending champion Novak Djokovic faces Nadal in the other semi-final earlier on Saturday.
Nadal leads Djokovic 23-22 in their career head to head, while Federer has won 17 of his 20 meetings with Wawrinka.
Wawrinka’s progress to the last four for the third successive year denied Murray the chance to win the tournament for the first time and also left the British star uncertain if he will finish the year-end rankings in second place for the first time.
He will be overhauled by Federer if the world number three wins the Tour Finals.