By Chris Oddo | Saturday, February 14th, 2015
Stan Wawrinka withstood a 15-ace performance from Milos Raonic to set up an enticing final with Tomas Berdych in Rotterdam.
Photo Source: ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament
Stan Wawrinka maintained his perfect record against missile-serving Milos Raonic on Saturday in Rotterdam to keep alive his bid for a 9th career title.
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The 29-year-old Swiss saved two set points in a second-set tiebreaker and withstood 15 aces to prevail, 7-6(3), 7-6(7), closing the match with a forehand blast and a clenched fist celebration.
Wawrinka improves to 4-0 against the Canadian with the victory and sets up a final clash with defending champion Tomas Berdych on Sunday at the ABN Amro World Tennis Championships.
Berdych blasted his way past Gilles Simon earlier in the day, winning all but one of his first-serve points and not facing a break point for the second consecutive match. The Czech's 6-2, 6-1 victory improves his record against Simon to 4-6, and the world No. 7 reaches his second final of 2015 and his 27th career final with the win.
Wawrinka, who owns a 10-5 career edge against Berdych, has taken the last five matches against his fellow 29-year-old. He has not lost to Berdych since dropping a four-setter to him in Davis Cup in February of 2013.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
Wawrinka reached his first indoor final since 2007 Vienna with the win.
Berdych is just two wins away from becoming the eighth active player to reach the 500-win mark.