21 Apr 2014

Wawrinka fights back to beat Federer in Monte Carlo

8:47 am on 21 April 2014

Stanislas Wawrinka has beaten Roger Federer in three sets to win their all-Swiss tennis final at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Wawrinka, the third seed and Australian Open champion, signalled his French Open ambitions by beating the 17-time major champion 4-6 7-6 6-2 in the decider between the two friends, who dined and warmed up together before the match.

Wawrinka recovered from the loss of the opening set to claim his maiden Masters title on the Monte Carlo clay just six weeks before the May 25-June 8 grand slam tournament in Paris.

Fourth seed Federer, who beat an injured Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, was his brilliant old self for almost an hour but was eventually overwhelmed by his opponent's power.

Wawrinka played with great depth as Federer was eventually pushed back far from his baseline and was prevented from attacking.