TennisBalls • Tennis • Ricky’s Rotterdam ATP Daily: Wawrinka, Monfils Set Up Intriguing Finals

Gael Monfils (FRANCE) reacts after winning the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev (RUSSIA) at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 16 February 2019. EPA-EFE/KOEN VAN WEEL

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

It will be Stan Wawrinka vs. Gael Monfils for the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament title after the two entertaining, fan-favorite veterans picked up respective semifinal victories on Saturday. Wawrinka ousted No. 1 seed Kei Nishikori 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, while Monfils got the best of a red-hot Daniil Medvedev 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles, Jeremy Chardy and Henri Kontinen booked a spot in the final alongside No. 4 seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.

 

Ricky takes a look at the draw, the seeds, and Day 7:

 

Draw

(WC) Stan Wawrinka…..defeated Paire…..defeated Raonic…..defeated Shapovalov…..defeated Nishikori

vs.

Gael Monfils…..defeated Goffin…..defeated Seppi…..defeated Dzumhur…..defeated Medvedev

 

Seeds

1) Kei Nishikori: lost SF to Wawrinka

2) Karen Khachanov: lost R1 to Griekspoor

3) Stefanos Tsitsipas: lost R1 to Dzumhur

4) Milos Raonic: lost R2 to Wawrinka

5) Daniil Medvedev: lost SF to Monfils

6) Lucas Pouille: WITHDREW

7) Roberto Bautista Agut: WITHDREW

8) David Goffin: lost R1 to Monfils

9) Nikoloz Basilashvili: lost R2 to Fucsovics

10) Denis Shapovalov: lost QF to Wawrinka

 

Day 7

(WC) Stan Wawrinka vs. Gael Monfils

Wawrinka and Monfils will be colliding for the sixth time in their careers on Sunday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of Wawrinka, who has won two in a row against Monfils after getting the job done 7-5, 7-6(7), 6-2 at the 2017 French Open–their only meeting since the end of 2011. They have never squared off past the QF stage, and a final scenario likely favors Wawrinka. After all, Monfils is a dreadful 7-21 for his career in ATP finals with only one triumph coming above the 250-point level (at the 500-point event in Washington in 2016). The 32-year-old has given himself another chance with defeats of David Goffin, Andreas Seppi, Damir Dzumhur, and Medvedev.

Wawrinka has advanced with victories over Benoit Paire, Milos Raonic, Denis Shapovalov, and Nishikori. The 33-year-old Swiss is 16-12 for his career in ATP finals, including one already in Rotterdam (2015) in addition to three major titles and one at a Masters 1000 (Monte-Carlo in 2014). Wawrinka has been by far the best player in Rotterdam, having navigated an extremely difficult draw with the loss of only one set.

Pick: Wawrinka in 2

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.