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PARIS – They know each other very well. Roger Federer therefore knew that he could not consider the quarterfinal match against Stan Wawrinka as a mere appetizer to prepare to face Rafael Nadal again at Roland Garros.
Wawrinka is playing his best tennis since returning from a knee surgery 18 months ago. He appeared to be mentally energetic after having resisted for 5 hours and 9 minutes in the fourth round at 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece – the longest match of Wawrinka's career – and convinced that his re-education and his return to his home country would have been good. had left as solid and strong as before. .
He concedes nothing and Tuesday at the court, Suzanne Lenglen, Wawrinka gave Federer the advantage, saving 16 points out of 18. Even when the match was interrupted by a quick storm while it was at tied at 3 in the fourth set, the result seemed far from certain. During some extended games, you might see them staring at each other with familiar dismay, as they thought: This guy. I still can not deceive him.
"There is no more surprise in what we are doing," said Wawrinka, 24th in day 24, about Federer, whose 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7- 6 (5), 6-4 caused a huge win Friday semifinal against Nadal. "It's just who will play the best of these important points, and he did it better than me today, he was a little more aggressive at the right time."
Federer had to face the "Swiss Open" of Tuesday against Wawrinka, as the French sports newspaper called him L & # 39; Team. It was the 26th meeting between the two friends, compatriots, former Davis Cup champions and gold medal winners of the Olympic Double. And this, the people who keep these things tell us, is the fourth largest number of Open – era fights between men with a one – handed backhand.
Two different art forms inside the craft were on display: Federer's Flowing Suite and its many tips against the power of Wawrinka. This punch allowed Wawrinka to win his three wins over Federer – all on clay – against 22 defeats before Tuesday.
"I'm more positive than sad or disappointed with the result because I know everything I've done to get back to that level," said Wawrinka.
Federer's neat elegance alongside Wawrinka Thatch and the chic of entertainment players has created an appealing contrast between the characters of their long-standing competition theater. In 2015, A pair of plaid shorts became a totem for Wawrinka when he beat Federer in the quarter-finals for the title at Roland Garros – the last time the two clashed here before Tuesday. Wawrinka draped the shorts on stage during his post-match press conference, then in a humorous reproach addressed to his fashion critics.
He also deserves credit for the way he has managed his way.
"I'm a big fan of this sport," said Wawrinka. "So, when you get the chance to have Roger against Rafa in the Roland-Garros semifinal, you'll turn on the television and watch, I've always done it before."
The quarter-final clash was by far the strongest pressure the world's No. 3 had at this Roland Garros, the first time Federer lost a set and the first time he had to withdraw a such variety of tools of his belt. He will have to use all the sharpness to stand up to Nadal, who has barely sweated in search of his 12th title at Roland Garros.
"As against any player, there is always a chance," said Federer. This sounds more like an optimistic beginner than a Grand Slam champion twenty times. He is 15-23 against Nadal, has not beaten him on clay for a decade and is 0-5 against the Spaniard at Roland Garros.
"I'm very happy to play Rafa because if you want to do something about clay, you will inevitably go through Rafa because he is so strong and he will be there," Federer said. "I knew that when I would have signed the clay, I hope it will happen.If I had a different state of mind to avoid it, I would not Should not have played clay. "
For his part, Nadal said that he was expecting total aggression and a game all over the field from Federer, who, he said, has proven that he had "tennis to support him" even after four years of absence from Roland Garros.
"I hope to put him in trouble," Nadal told the court after defeating Japan Kei Nishikori in straight sets. "Otherwise, I'm going to have problems."
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