ATP World Tour Finals: Roger Federer vs Stanislas Wawrinka match preview

A look ahead to the semi-final match at The O2 Arena

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka (Getty Images)

After a year of surprises and emerging heroes we’re back to the old order as the top four seeds of the year-ending championships are set to meet in the semi-finals.

Next week Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka will play alongside each other in the final of the Davis Cup against France.

Tonight they will they will find themselves on opposite sides of the net with a place in the final at stake.

It is Federer coming into the game with an advantage on the back of three straight-set victories in the round robin stage. Watching these two Swiss giants clash is not a rare sight, as the two have met each other on 16 times in the past nine years. Nevertheless, the encounters have tended to be rather one-sided with Federer pulling ahead 14-2 in the head-to-head count.

Federer needed only 56 minuets to see off British no. 1 Andy Murray (6-0, 6-1), en route to the semi-finals.

On the other hand, Marin Cilic took Wawrinka to three sets, and took a total of 12 games before Wawrinka was able to claim the victory. That doesn’t change the fact Wawrinka needed just three games off Cilic to book his spot in the semi-finals on game difference, something he managed in just 13 minutes.

START: Saturday (not before 8pm)

PAST MEETINGS:

2014 Wimbledon (Grass) Federer won 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4

2014 Monte Carlo (Clay) Wawrinka won 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2

2013 Indian Wales (Hard) Federer won 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5

STATS:

Wawrinka has never beaten Federer on hard court, and has only recorded two victories over the Swiss Maestro in his career.

Federer has won 25 games so far in the tournament and lost 13, while Wawrinka dropped 12 games in his last match alone.

Roger Federer has won 69 matches and lifted five trophies. Wawrinka has won 38 matches this year, and lifted three trophies including the 2014 Australian Open title.

Federer has won the ATP ‘Fans Favorite’ award for a record 12 times straight (2003-2014).

ODDS:

Wawrinka to win 5.2

Federer to win 1.13

TV/Radio: Sky Sports 3/ BBC Radio 5