Third-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka reached the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters 2014 tournament after the Swiss star defeated Milos Raonic of Canada 7-6, 6-2 on Friday. This is his second time to reach this far at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Up next for Wawrinka is David Ferrer of Spain after the latter defeated his compatriot and world number one Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-2. Ferrer has a 7-5 head to head series lead over Wawrinka.
Wawrinka, 29, is aiming to win his first career Masters 1000 tournament. He’s been a finalist twice (Rome 2008 and Madrid 2013). He won his first Grand Slam singles title last January at the Australian Open.
“The match was tough,” said Wawrinka. “I think I played a great match. I was really focused on my serve to be really aggressive from the first shot, to make him move, to make him work for every ball. The match could have changed completely. He was up two times with a mini break in the tie-break. It’s never easy to play him. He’s a big server. He’s strong. He’s tough to play. He can play fast. I just think that I played a solid match.”
