Wawrinka, Federer in title match

 

Monte Carlo (Monaco): Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka eased into the Monte Carlo Masters final on Saturday, setting up the first all Swiss title showdown in 14 years. Federer, who has never won the trophy in the principality, beat Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 as the defending champion and world number two struggled with a right wrist injury which limited his serving to 150kph range.

 

Wawrinka, the Australian Open champion, saw off David Ferrer 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), a day after the Spaniard stunned eight time champion compatriot Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Federer featured in the last all Swiss final when he lost to Marc Rosset in the 2000 Marseille decider, back in the days when the 17 time Grand Slam title winner was still a raw teenager.

 

Federer, a loser in three Monte Carlo finals to Nadal, will be making his first title bid in the tournament since 2008. Djokovic’s loss ended a 13 match win streak and a run of 23 in a row at the Masters level.