Tennis Prose




Feb/19

14

Stan vs Raonic Rivalry Analysis

By Scoop Malinowski

Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic clashed for the eighth time yesterday in Rotterdam in what has been one of the more interesting rivalries in the shadows of the Big Three monopoly.

Wawrinka won the first four meetings from 2012 to 2015, with each match featuring at least one tiebreaker. All close, tight wins for the Swiss heavyweight. But then at 2016 Australian Open, Raonic managed to score his first win vs Wawrinka, a thrilling five setter in the round of 16. The Canadian prevailed 63 in the fifth.

It would be two and a half years later before they would lock horns again. At the 2018 US Open, Raonic again triumphed in the third round in three tough sets.

The next duel happened in Melbourne last month in the second round and again, Raonic survived in four sets, each a tiebreaker. Raonic lost the first and then won the next three by scores of 8-6. 13-11 and 7-5. As close as it gets.

Yesterday the two heavy hitters slugged it out again, for the second time indoors in Rotterdam – Stan won 76 76 in 2015.

33 year old Wawrinka regained control of the head to head – now at 5-3 – with the 64 76 victory yesterday.

Every single match they’ve played has included at least one tiebreaker, except for the five setter in Melbourne in 2016.

The win meant a lot yesterday for Wawrinka, who roared like a lion after match point. It was the type of valuable confidence building win that could propel him back into contention for major titles.

Currently ranked in the 60s, Wawrinka could have a few more surges of greatness left in his firepower supply, which we all know is more than enough to knock off Federer, Djokovic and Nadal on any surface at any time.

2019 Rotterdam IH R16 Wawrinka 64 764
2019 Australian OH R64 Raonic 674 766 7611 765
2018 US Open OH R32 Raonic 766 64 63
2016 Australian Open OH R16 Raonic 64 63 57 46 63
2015 Rotterdam IH SF Wawrinka 763 767
2014 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo OC QF Wawrinka 765 62
2013 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai OH R16 Wawrinka 762 64
2012 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Cincinnati QF Wawrinka 26 765 64

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2 comments

  • Hartt · February 15, 2019 at 11:30 am

    Obviously I watched this match closely. Stan played very well, saying afterwards that it was “a great performance.”

    Milos was OK, but he needed a terrific serving night to beat Stan in that match.

    I will be rooting for Shapo in his match against Stan, but have no idea who is likely to win. If both guys play the way they did in their last matches, it should be very entertaining.

  • Scoop Malinowski · February 15, 2019 at 11:46 am

    My guess is Wawrinka is on his way back to WOWrinka form and he will teach a lesson to the young whippersnapper. But then again, Shap plays his best against the best opponents. This is a big match for both.

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