2011 BNP Paribas Open: Roger Federer vs. Stanislas Wawrinka – Preview
World number 2 Roger Federer of Switzerland will meet his countryman, world number 14, Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Friday.
Federer defeated world number 152 Ryan Harrison of USA in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-3 in the fourth round. While, Wawrinka upset world number 7 Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach quarter-finals.
The two compatriots have played eight times before, with the higher ranked Swiss leading the head-to-head record 7-1. He has won the last five meetings between them.
The Swiss Maestro defeated Wawrinka in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 when the pair last met in the quarter-final at the Australian Open in January. Wawrinka’s only win against Federer came at the clay courts of Monte-Carlo
Rolex Masters in 2009, when he defeated the former world number 1 in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in the round of 16. In their first meeting in the round of 16 at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in 2005, Federer thrashed Wawrinka in straight sets 6-1, 6-4.
The 29-year-old has a 17-2 win/loss record this year. He started the season by winning the title at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open where he defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in straight sets in the final. The Swiss was beaten
by Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6-7(3), 5-7, 4-6 in the semi-final at the Australian Open.
Federer faced his second straight defeat at the hands of Djokovic within a month as he lost to the Serbian 3-6, 3-6 in the title match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.
Wawrinka has won 17 out of 20 matches this year. He started the season at the Aircel Chennai Open, where he defeated Xavier Malisse of Belgium in three sets 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in the final to capture the third title of his career.
In his last tournament, the Swiss lost to Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 4-6, 6-7(6) in the quarter-final at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.
Federer is playing at the BNP Paribas Open for the eleventh straight year. He has a 33-7 win/loss record at this championship, winning the title three straight years from 2004-06. The Swiss beat Tim Henman of Great Britain
6-3, 6-3 in the final to win his first BNP Paribas Open in 2004. The right handed was upset by Marcos Baghdatis in three thrilling sets 7-5, 5-7, 6-7(4) in the round of 32 last year.
Federer is expected to prevail over Wawrinka in Friday’s match due to his better form and positive past record against his countryman.
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