Home star Stan Wawrinka beat Lukas Rosol 6-2 4-6 6-3 in one hour and 23 minutes in the semifinals in Geneva to qualify for his third final of the year after winning two titles in Chennai and Dubai. Wawrinka and Rosol will meet again next week in the first round of the Paris Roland Garros.
Wawrinka got a double break to win the first set 6-2. The opening set was quick with no deuces. Rosol broke Wawrinka in the seventh game to clinch the second set 6-4. Wawrinka broke serve in the sixth game to claim the third set 6-3
“Once we go tinto the rallies I was able to gain the upper hand by hitting a heavier ball, so that was tough for him. Unfortunately I let off a little bit in the second set and didn’t put as much pressure on him for a bit. Every player is able to find solutions if you let them. A couple of points made the difference and he got back into the match”, said Wawrinka.
Wawrinka set up the final with Marin Cilic who beat David Ferrer 7-5 7-5. Cilic had won won only once over Ferrer seven years ago at the Australian Open but lost their last four head-to-head matches.
Ferrer broke serve to take a 3-1 lead but Cilic broke back to draw level to 4-4 before getting another break in the 12th game to claim the first set. Cilic broke serve in the second game of the second set to take a 2-0 lead but Ferrer broke straight back. Both players traded breaks in the seventh and eighth games. Cilic got his third and decisive break in the 12th game to win the set 7-5.
Cilic lost to Nick Kyrgios in his previous final played this year in Marseille.
“I felt like I was moving really well, returning very solidly. He doesn’t give you too many short balls or openings. I had to work for most of the points. I felt that my consistency and my focus on playing an aggressive game was the key”, said Cilic.
Wawrinka leads 9-2 in his head-to-head matches against Cilic and won their previous five matches.
