Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka Preview – ATP World Tour Finals 2014 RR

Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka Preview – ATP World Tour Finals 2014 RR

  • Posted: Nov 12, 2014

 Djokovic19 Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka Preview – ATP World Tour Finals 2014 RR

 

After going a combined 24-4 against their respective opponents to start their World Tour Finals campaigns, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will renew their rivalry once more when they cross paths for a 19th time on the professional tour. Djokovic leads the series 15-3, but Wawrinka won their only meeting in 2014 back at the start of the season in Melbourne en route to his maiden Grand Slam title. Check out the Djokovic v Wawrinka Head to Head.

Coming off a successful title defense at the Paris Bercy, Djokovic found his form early in the first group match against Marin Cilic and maintained command en route to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the reigning US Open champion. It was an impeccable showing from the Serb, and a disastrous display from the Croat.

While all their previous matches this season went to deciding sets, including a five-set marathon at Wimbledon, Djokovic took advantage of Cilic’s poor serving and timid shot making to pressure the Croat and force him around the court in awkward angles. The win advances his undefeated record against Cilic to 11-0.

“Winning in straight sets helps a lot for the rest of the tournament,” said Djokovic, who is riding a 28-match indoor winning streak. “But I’m going to try to win every match I play.”

In the opening match on Monday, Wawrinka stormed past Czech No. 1 Tomas Berdych to pick up one of his most impressive victories of the season. The Swiss No. 1 needed only 58 minutes to dispatch Berdych 6-1, 6-1. According to ATPWorldTour.com, it was the fewest number of games he has lost against a Top 10 opponent all season.

“I didn’t expect to win that easy,” said Wawrinka. “But I was ready to play well. I had a great week of preparation. Even if the result wasn’t there in Basel and Paris, I was feeling the ball really well on the practice court.

“When I feel good on the court, I’m ready to beat everybody. It’s never easy, but you have to fight for it.”

While Wawrinka has not had the most inspiring of seasons post-US Open, his destruction of Berdych breathes new life into Group A and puts heft expectations on his coming encounter with Djokovic. The two competitors have taken part in some of the most memorable matches of the past two seasons, and could add another epic to their series on Wednesday afternoon.

After a humdrum few days of matches, this one promises to live up to expectations.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in Three Sets