Well, that was quite a performance from Stanislas Wawrinka, some sensational power simply blowing Roger Federer away, not allowing him to even get close to his best. The force behind some of those forehands was incredible, and while Federer tried various things to mix it up and change the pace of the game, he couldn’t, and his run without a Grand Slam win continues - it’s now three years since he won a big one (Wimbledon 2012), and five since he was successful on anything other than grass. Wawrinka will now play the winner of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kei Nishikori, which is now into a fourth set after the latter clawed one back.
That’s your lot from this one - cheers for reading.
Wawrinka wins in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6
Wawrinka puts a volley away to take the match and a place in the semi-final!
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Tie-break: Federer* 4-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Beautiful forehand down the line from Federer saves the first match point. Just on the line, that one.
Tie-break: Federer 3-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Three enormous hammer forehands and Wawrinka has match point...
Tie-break: Federer 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Big serve and Wawrinka is two points from the match...
Tie-break: Federer* 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Yowch! Wawrinka forehand clips the line, it’s initially called out but the umpire overturns, and Wawrinka is given the point. Federer argues the point should be replayed, but no dice.
Tie-break: Federer* 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Overhand volley at the net levels it. Lovely stuff, this.
Tie-break: Federer 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Big cheers float across from the other court but it doesn’t put Wawrinka off, nudging ahead with a big backhand down the line.
Tie-break: Federer 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Woof! Big forehand and it’s all-square.
Tie-break: Federer* 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Wawrinka forehand error makes is 2-1 to Federer.
Tie-break: Federer* 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Federer puts a smash away to level it up.
Tie-break: Federer 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Point-by-point for the breaker, as a long rally ends with Federer netting a backhand.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 6-6 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
This time Wawrinka takes his time before the game. The big ground shots seem to be back though, as he rips a couple deep at Federer’s feet to win the first point, but a brilliant volley levels things at 15-15, then a sensational drop-shot edges Federer’s nose in front. Cojones. A serve-volley attempt - which hasn’t been too successful so far for Federer - proves decisive this time, as a backhand drop-volley clips the line. Tie-break!
Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 5-6 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
“Roger! Roger! Roger!” chant the crowd. Wawrinka drops his racket in the opening point of the game and still attempts to pick it up and continue the point, but no dice there. A long rally ends as Federer loops a backhand into the tramlines, and lets out a primal swear before the thing has even nearly landed. The wind seems to be picking up, meaning a few errant balls in this game and presumably some tumbling masonry in the other one. Wawrinka holds as Federer sends a high backhand into the net, and he’ll need to serve to stay in it again.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 5-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Federer serves to stay in the match, and does so with relative ease as Wawrinka again blazes a few surprisingly careless shots wide and long. Heading for a tie-breaker, this one.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 4-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
The crowd appear to be on Federer’s side, ever the contrarians at Roland Garros. Will this plucky underdog produce an epic comeback? A couple of nets from Federer thus induce groans from the upset-hunting Parisians as Wawrinka holds.
Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 4-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
There haven’t been quite as many big booming winners in this set from Wawrinka, but he produces a massive one down the line to beat a standing Federer. Nevertheless, a couple of excellent Federer serves ensure he holds.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 3-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Booming forehand from Wawrinka down the line kicks off his latest service game, a wide backhand makes it 30-0, a neat backhand forces another error then a wide serve is netted to complete the hold. That was clinical.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 3-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Federer perhaps trying some spoiling tactics by taking his sweet time in the changeover, very carefully changing his shirt and having a long ol’ drink. It works, after a fashion, as Federer holds, but not entirely convincingly. Incidentally, ‘Federer’ when said in a French accent is very pleasing.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 2-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Despite that let up in Federer’s service game, nothing of the sort in his own by Wawrinka, holding to 15. Perhaps he was just taking a breather, of sorts. Taking a breather against Roger Federer! What scenes.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 2-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
A little loose from Wawrinka as Federer holds, some shots not exactly of the standard of the rest, a couple that loop beyond the baseline in particular. The problem with a power game against someone like Federer is obviously that when you let up a little, he will take advantage.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 1-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Wawrinka holds to 15, the winner being - and you’ll like this - a big inside-out forehand that he hit with the force of Thor’s almighty hammer. Federer really isn’t laying a glove on his countryman here.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-6, 1-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
It’s not quite so much the power of Wawrinka’s shots that’s befuddling Federer, but how deep they are. Another boomer close to the baseline forces an error and deuce, but Federer pulls one out of the bag to hold. He’s just surviving rather than doing a great deal else here, though.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-6, 0-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
No let up from Wawrinka in this match, as he holds to love in a game featuring a big ol’ ace.
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Some more details on that metal sheet business over in Tsonga v Nishikori here. The break in play seemed to knock Tsonga off his stride a little, but he’s just served out the second set to go 2-0 up.
Wawrinka wins the second set 6-3
Federer serves to stay in the set, and doesn’t help his cause by carelessly netting a backhand down the line. When he’s got missiles like the ones Wawrinka is sending down coming at him, he can’t pass that sort of stuff up. Another serve-volley attempt is airily dismissed by Wawrinka, twice - once after hitting the tar off a serve with a backhand cross-court, then a forehand pass down the line that eludes Federer. The game, break and set is secured as Federer tries a backhand cross-court that goes into the tramlines. Sweet fancy Moses.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Woof! Federer unleashes a big forehand of his own, on the run and from the baseline, but it disappears just over the net and Wawrinka can’t do much with it. Wawrinka however serves out the hold with - get this - some more colossal forehands. Woof, woof, and thrice woof.
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Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Another serve-volley attempt goes awry as Wawrinka nails a terrific pass that clips the line, but a dropshot and a marvellous serve puts him back in charge. But wait! More serve-volleying doesn’t work, as Wawrinka storms back and forces Federer to net, securing the break! Good lord, what a display of hitting this is.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 3-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Federer swears rather loudly to himself, but he’s got some way to go before he’s in Andy Murray’s league in that respect. An unforced error is the source of his ire, as he quickly falls 40-0 behind on Wawrinka’s serve. He gets one point back, but the game is over after a particularly massive forehand - even by Wawrinka’s standards today - forces Federer to put a forehand wide. This is brutal tennis.
Over on the other court, the players are back out following that break as bits of the stadium started falling off and hitting people. Tsonga is 5-2 up in the second having won the first set.
Second set: Federer* 4-6, 3-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Forehand winner is followed by a backhand net is followed by an ace. Another rapid hold, and Federer obviously ain’t taking this one lying down.
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Second set: Federer 4-6, 2-2 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Wawrinka holds without too much fuss, and must have done so with a broken string. He goes over to his chair and unsheathes a fresh racket, and we continue.
Oi vey...
The incident pic.twitter.com/p7NQHP8joI
— Steph Trudel (@TrudelSteph) June 2, 2015
Second set: Federer* 4-6, 2-1 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
More serve-volleying from Federer, and it’s producing some results, as he gets Wawrinka to net. Wawrinka then queries a Federer ace, the umpire disembarks from his big chair and points at a mark in the clay, with Wawrinka pointing to a completely different mark. What fun! Anyway, Federer skilfully makes the hold, pulling his opponent hither and thither with some nice groundstrokes, causing Wawrinka to net on the run.
Second set: Federer 4-6, 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
It does seem to be rather windy out there, which is causing some clay to fly all over the place on this court, which I guess is better than bits of sheet metal. The wind doesn’t prevent Wawrinka from holding without too much fuss, the final point a rather limp backhand into the net from Federer.
Second set: Federer* 4-6, 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Wawrinka carries on where he left off, with Federer pinned to the baseline by some more powerful efforts. He gets a break point but a marvellous serve seems to take Wawrinka by surprise and saves that one, then another down the middle induces and error and Federer holds. But only just.
Bloody hell...
This just fell off the roof of the #Chatrier at #RolandGarros during the #Tsonga #Nishikori match #FrenchOpen pic.twitter.com/kQ9Rwc7PFs
— Broadcast Sound (@broadcast_sound) June 2, 2015
Crikey, that sheet of metal in the other game really nailed a bloke in the crowd (he’s OK if bleeding from his arm), and play has been suspended while they sort it all out. Tsonga is 5-2 up in the second over Nishikori, after winning the first.
Wawrinka wins the first set 6-4
Federer, as you might expect, isn’t rolling over. He slaps a tremendous backhand that completely wrong-foots Wawrinka, and nearly has him eating clay as he slips and drops his racket trying to reach it. Federer chisels out a break point after Wawrinka top-edges a backhand that sails long, but it’s saved as Federer again almost falls chasing a powerful shot down the line. And then he serves out the set as Federer nets. Well, well, well. It is most certainly on, on, on.
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Meanwhile...
@NickMiller79 @guardian_sport metal stuff falling on spectators in the other match...
— Jeremy aves (@megabrow12) June 2, 2015
Voici la plaque qui s'est décrochée et a touchée quelques spectateurs. Le jeu est toujours arrêté. #RG15 #RG #Tsonga pic.twitter.com/svlGsEgaBp
— Parlons Sports (@ParlonsSports15) June 2, 2015
First set: Federer* 4-5 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Federer tries a delicate drop-shot to combat his blasting opponent but he misses. At the moment, odd as it might sound, it looks like an exceedingly skilful 13-year-old playing a bigger and more developed 17-year-old. Wawrinka’s strategy comes with a few errors, but also some brilliant shots, as he displays by chasing down then hammering back another handy drop-shot. A bad miss sets up set point for Wawrinka, which Federer serve-volleys his way out of, channeling Pete Sampras circa 1999. He then gets the hold as Wawrinka nets a relatively straightforward backhand. He will now serve for the set, however.
“Don’t think I ever saw Federer fall over before,” writes John Carvill. “Hugely shocking sight. Mother of god, could this be the end of Roger?”
No John, probably not. Unless he falls into a well.
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First set: Federer 3-5 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Jim Courier (I think it’s him) is doing Nigel Tufnel impressions on the commentary, which shouldn’t be an indicator of the state of the match, which is pretty interesting. Wawrinka takes a relatively simple hold, with Federer sending a few lollipops back to him. Strategy to take the pace out of Wawrinka’s shots perhaps? It didn’t work in that game, that’s for sure.
First set: Federer* 3-4 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Federer sends down a pretty decent serve but can barely react - only enough to slip over on the clay - as Wawrinka sends a missile cross-court past him. ‘Returned with interest,’ is the appropriate term, I believe. Apparently Wawrinka is averaging 9mph faster on his ground shots to Federer, which is not to be sniffed at. Still, Federer manages to hold, capped off by a beautifully disguised drop-shot from the baseline that befuddles Wawrinka and drops just over the net to clinch the game.
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First set: Federer 2-4 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Wawrinka is wearing an extraordinary pair of shorts. They’re a sort of red and white cross-hatched checky affair, and look a little like a pair of swimming shorts one might buy from Next. And when they’re the shorts of note, considering Federer is glad in a neon pink number, you know we’ve got something special. Anyway, shorts aside, a couple of errors creep in from both men - a careless net apiece - as Federer goes 0-30 then 30-40 ahead, and has Wawrinka on the ropes, but thanks to a few more of those supermassive big shots he clings onto serve.
First set: Federer* 2-3 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Well, that was rapid. Federer needed an incident-free hold, and that’s just what he gets. A nerve-settler for the great man.
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First set: Federer 1-3 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
Federer darkly mutters to himself after framing a Wawrinka serve into the clay, and he has more cause to mutter as Wawrinka once more powers into a lead, a backhand down the line providing more evidence that the junior man is just outplaying the gajillion-time Grand Slam winner. A backhand long from Federer confirms the hold.
First set: Federer* 1-2 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Well then. Well then. Well. Then. Wawrinka races to three break points with some more booming shots from the baseline, then holds out the break to love with a phenomenal whipped cross-court backhand that dips over the net and under Federer’s lunge and clips the line. Well then...
First set: Federer 1-1 Wawrinka* (*denotes server)
More big hitting from Wawrinka, but Federer keeps some interest in the game with some delightful slices and whatnot, one in particular that Wawrinka can’t quite dig out from his toes. Wawrinka pins his opponent to the baseline and holds his serve after Federer puts a backhand down the line long.
First set: Federer* 1-0 Wawrinka (*denotes server)
Wawrinka comes out swinging against the Federer serve, with one bullet backhand in particular whistling past the No.2 seed and another mammoth cross-court forehand that sets up a break point. Federer saves that one, but can’t close out the game as Wawrinka nails another forehand beyond him. Federer eventually holds his serve, but if that game is anything to go by, we could be here for a while.
Federer will serve first...
Afternoon all. Full disclosure - Mr Gregg Bakowski wrote that wee preamble while I was looking at Other Sports, but here we are now, for this double dose of Swissness. The players are out on court warming up, as is your humble game-by-gamer. The stretches required to do this job are simply mind-boggling.
Preamble
Afternoon. Well, this looks promising. It’s the second-seeded Swiss v the eighth-seeded Swiss. Roger Federer is the obvious favourite but Stanislas Wawrinka’s fighting spirit and history of having had some ding-dong battles with his compatriot and idol suggest this afternoon’s match could be highly entertaining – and high-quality with it.
Federer has faced Wawrinka twice at Roland Garros and beaten him twice. Their most recent meeting on clay, in Rome, resulted in a victory for the world No2 too but Wawrinka has scored a recent win on clay against Federer. Last year he won the Monte Carlo Masters final in three sets, not that it was a precursor to further success on the red stuff. He bowed out in the French Open first round.
He’s never gone beyond the quarters at Roland Garros – but both his victories against Federer have come on clay. He’ll hold on to that today.
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