2017 Australian Open SF: Federer vs. Wawrinka

[mightyjeditribble]

Roger has settled again, and Stan started to miss a bit more. Will Fed take this in four now, or are there more twists and turns ahead?

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Stan has to go via deuce but holds for 4-4. It's getting interesting now. Can Fed do the business on his serve and keep the pressure on Wawrinka?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Stan plays a beautiful game to break Fed at crucial moment. Now Stan just a hold away from evening at the proceedings and sending the match to 5th set.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

O.M.G.

Fed goes 0-40 down. Saves two break points, but Wawrinka takes the third with a great passing shot.

Stan to serve for the set. Fifth set here we come?

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Wawrinka's first love service game of the match closes out set number 4, and we're into a decider.

Roger needs to focus and regroup quickly.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Stan wins the 4th set.

If Stan has to hit a shot from a standing position he does very well. As crazy as it sounds, the right strategy for Fed now is to actually make Stan move a lot.

 

[Puppet Master]

Hopeless. Roger's game just melted away. Maybe it's better this way.
The deathless one not so deathless anymore.
I didn't anticipate Roger was this unfit after the match with Nishikori. He is late to every ball. His serve is what kept.him from getting double bagelled in the third and fourth sets.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Rog has +1 and Stan has +2 in differential in 4th set. This is the first set in which Fed has +ve differential.

Fed takes a MTO.

 

[atttomole]

Fed 's serve went down in the 3rd and 4th sets. With such lapses in his serve, he would rather not reach the final, otherwise he will be routed.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The only positive thing is that Fed is serving first in fifth set.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed's UFE is mounting off both wings, of course more from backhand side. He has now committed 44 UFE.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Fed has a medical time-out now. Oh no!!!! Let's hope there's no serious injury again.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed got into trouble, but saved BP and is on track. But, overall seems to be struggling. It could go either way now.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

No sign of Wawrinka having problems moving. He brings up break point, and I have absolutely no bleeping idea how Roger saved that one, it looked as though he was a goner for sure.

But Roger holds on. No S&V at the moment, which served him so well in those early sets?

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Fed goes up 0-30. Stan hits a monster second serve for 15-30. Roger shanks a forehand, and Mirka can only cover her eyes. Another mishit backhand on the second set return, and then Stan wins another baseline rally, taking four points in a row to hold on.

That was Roger's best chance in a long time to make inroads on Stan's serve. Will he rue the lost opportunity?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed struggles to hold serve for the second time. But, gets it done at the end. Hope, at least his service games improve. He needs to take time away from Stan. Otherwise, Stan is able to hit heavy shots.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Roger's first serve has gone AWOL here and Stan fights back from 40-15 for break point. But Roger holds on.

So close now. Stan looking like the slight favourite IMO.

Come on Roger!!!!!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Stan does a DF on BP and Fed leads 4-2 :clap

 

[mightyjeditribble]

15-30. A half chance.

Stan misses a backhand. 15-40. Two break points to Roger.

And Stan double-faults. Fed leads 4-2. It's a surprise to see Wawrinka surrender his serve so meekly after the last two sets and a half.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

After struggling in the previous two service games, Fed finally gets it done easily this time. Leads 5-2. One game away from winning the match.