Roger Federer v Stan Wawrinka - Five of the best

24 January 2017 04:53

Despite being ranked below his opponent in the current standings, the returning Roger Federer has the edge over Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka ahead of their Australian Open semi-final, holding an 18-3 record.

Here, Press Association Sport looks back at five of the most memorable matches between the pair.

INDIAN WELLS MASTERS - ROUND OF 16, 2013

Federer came into the match with concerns about his back but appeared set for a routine win after taking the first set 6-3. However, the 35-year-old squandered a break lead in the second set before losing 7-4 in a tie-break. With the score in the deciding set at 1-1, Wawrinka broke his opponent's serve, only for Federer to immediately break back. The back-and-forth encounter continued and with Federer leading 6-5, he again broke Wawrinka's serve to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Federer won 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5.

MONTE CARLO MASTERS - FINAL, 2014

Ahead of their 15th meeting, Wawrinka's only win against his fellow countryman and friend came five years previously at the same tournament and proved lightning can strike twice. Federer easily won the first set 6-4 but Wawrinka slowly grew into the match and edged out the second by winning 7-5 in a tie-break. The momentum was with Wawrinka and he went on to win the deciding set 6-2 to claim his maiden Masters 1000 title.

Wawrinka won 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.

WIMBLEDON - QUARTER-FINAL, 2014

It was the pair's first meeting on grass and where better to do it than Wimbledon? Wawrinka, who was playing his third match in as many days, started superbly and won the first first 6-3. In the second, Wawrinka was sick into his towel and despite soldiering on, eventually lost 5-7 in a tie-break. After taking medicine from a doctor in the third set, Wawrinka failed to regain his sparkle and lost 4-6, 4-6 in the third and fourth sets, despite saving four match points.

Federer won 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4.

ATP TOUR FINALS - SEMI-FINAL, 2014

Even though the competition was not a Grand Slam, this was one of the most intense matches between the Swiss duo. Wawrinka won the first set 6-4 before Federer powered back to win the second 7-5. Wawrinka then broke the 17-time Grand Slam champion's serve in the first game of the third set and served for the match at 5-4 but failed to convert three match points and Federer broke back to take the set to 5-5. After both players held serve, Wawrinka led 6-5 in the tie-break but blew a fourth match point. Federer then won the next two points to snatch the tie-break 8-6.

Federer won 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8/6).

US OPEN - SEMI-FINAL, 2015

In the 20th meeting between the pair, Wawrinka was on the end of a vintage Federer performance. The 35-year-old dominated from start to finish as he kept serve throughout the match to ease to victory 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

Federer won 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

Source: PA