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11/6/09 12:57 AM | Ricky Dimon
It will be a big day for Swiss fans in Basel, as three of the four quarterfinal matches feature one of their countrymen. Stanislas Wawrinka is up second against Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka will be doing battle for the ninth time in four years when they meet in the quarterfinals of the Davidoff Swiss Indoors on Friday afternoon. Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 6-2, and he has five in-a-row since losing two of three encounters in 2006.
The world No. 3 has prevailed over Wawrinka twice already this season; first by a 7-6(7), 7-6(6) decision at the Masters Series Indian Wells and again 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 on the clay courts of the Masters Series Monte-Carlo.
In stellar form right now, Djokovic is favored to get the best of Wawrinka once more. Routine wins this week over Andreas Beck and Jan Hernych have Basel's No. 2 seed in yet another ATP quarterfinal. In fact, Djokovic has failed to reach that stage of a tournament just twice this entire season (French Open and the season-opening event in Brisbane). The 22-year-old Serb is also the match wins leader on tour in 2009, having compiled an amazing 68-18 record.
Wawrinka has been playing decent tennis this season, but he has not been at his very best. The 24-year-old Swiss is 12 spots off his career-high ranking at No. 21 in the world and he has done almost nothing since losing to Andy Murray in the fourth round of Wimbledon. Nonetheless, he appears to be back in command of his game this week in Basel. The No. 6 seed toppled an in-form Ivan Ljubicic on Wednesday and dispatched Jarkko Nieminen in round two.
The Swiss fans will give Wawrinka a bit of advantage, but the underdog will need a lot more than that to pull off an upset. He has struggled through two three-setters, whereas Djokovic has not lost a set this week and even double-bageled Hernych. Look for Djokovic to take this one in two relatively competitive sets.
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I agree, Ricky, Nole in 2! :) Ajde, Noleeee! :)
OllyK , 11/6/09 9:20 AM
If it's in three, no problem with me! Djo-ko-vic No1-vak, clap-clap clap clap-clap!
Duronole , 11/6/09 2:46 PM
the federer article reminded me of the 2008 olympics. ouuucchhh so painful, so close to the gold!
stu , 11/6/09 3:22 PM
ouch :(
OllyK , 11/6/09 5:24 PM
WTH? How is he playing, is anyone watching?
stu , 11/6/09 5:43 PM
Not so good, stu...Wawrinka is on fire. Nole can't catch his 1st service...
OllyK , 11/6/09 5:50 PM
yea i just looked at the live scores...wawa's numbers are amazing...i guess this match is all but done...
stu , 11/6/09 5:53 PM
Wawrinka broke again...
OllyK , 11/6/09 5:58 PM
an in-form Novak Djokovic beaten by Stan Wawa? didn't think i'd see that after 07...
stu , 11/6/09 5:59 PM
this is your chance Nole..
stu , 11/6/09 6:01 PM
Let's goooo!!! Nole broke back!!!
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:03 PM
The only thing that worries me is that Nole doesn't look motivated...I hope I'm wrong..
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:07 PM
hmm. unmotivated nole and tiebreaks don't go well together.
forgive me for always being pessimistic! :P
stu , 11/6/09 6:14 PM
on seconds thoughts, i think the momentum is shifting in nole's favor!
stu , 11/6/09 6:16 PM
ok, tiebreak..the moment of truth! :)
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:18 PM
greeeat point!!!! come on, Nolee!
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:21 PM
1:1.....yeeeey!!! (I think I'm happier than Nole)
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:27 PM
haha took my laptop to the parking lot to watch the tiebreak! it was well worth it!
stu , 11/6/09 6:29 PM
Nole was never playing bad, Wawrinka was just good.
Basically they have switched roles now, and Nole is better on the big points, of course.
RickyDimon , 11/6/09 6:36 PM
Ricky, Nole wasn't that precise as usual. And his 1st serve wasn't on...That was the difference. :)
But, look at him now!!! Nole we all wanna watch!!!! Go, Noleee!!
stu, LOL! :)
OllyK , 11/6/09 6:43 PM
hungry for a bagel again
stu , 11/6/09 6:44 PM
okay, maybe a breadstick today..
stu , 11/6/09 6:49 PM
i'm really loving this new Nole who comes back from a set and a break down, who doesn't lose conviction till the very end. earlier, the only major flaw in his game was his mental stability. i've seen the slow progress in that department this year. kudos! :D
stu , 11/6/09 6:59 PM
this kind of matches build player's character. this was close. ajde nole.
posmatrac , 11/6/09 6:59 PM
solid
RickyDimon , 11/6/09 7:07 PM
What to say....Ajde, Noleee! :)
OllyK , 11/6/09 7:10 PM
http://www.tennistalk.com/en/match_report/Davidoff_Swiss_Indoors_Basel /2009/Stanislas_Wawrinka_-_Novak_Djokovic
RickyDimon , 11/6/09 7:15 PM
Johny Mac said double bagel brings bad luck... I couldn't get rid of that thought the whole day... I don't want Novak to beat anyone 6:0 6:0 ever again! Damn Johny...
I think I'm still shivering...
Duronole , 11/6/09 10:19 PM
Stanislas Wawrinka
Novak Djokovic
Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel
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cmon nole!
mriiidula , 11/6/09 6:23 AM