2019 ATP Rotterdam Final - [WC] Stan Wawrinka vs. Gael Monfils

[Enceladus]

ATP H2H: 3:2 for Wawrinka
H2H on HC: 2:2 tied

Monfils last won the ATP title in Doha 2018, Wawrinka in Geneva Open 2017. Gael may win the 8th tournament triumph tomorrow at the ATP Tour, Stan can gain 17th ATP title and 2nd Rotterdam title.

 

[Mainad]

First final for Wawrinka since 2017 Roland Garros (l. to Nadal), first final for Monfils since 2018 Antwerp (l. to Edmund).

H2H is 3-2 to Wawrinka who has won their last 2 encounters (last met 2017 Roland Garros). Monfils did win their only previous meeting on indoor hardcourt however (2010 Valencia) although that was almost a decade ago. As with Nishikori, going with Stan in 3!

 

[Red Rick]

It would be so great if Monfils won.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I'm rooting for Stanimal, but think Gurufils has a chance.

 

[Krish872007]

Wawrinka probably on his way back now, a lesson from Gurufils in a Final is like gold-dust.

 

[Red Rick]

Monfils was exhausted yesterday. I just have such trouble seeing how he could beat Wawrinka.

Factor in Guru's absymal finals record and the smart money should pour in on Wawrinka.

 

[True Fanerer]

Didn't realize this was starting so early. Wawrinka will move up to #33 with a win today.

 

[tennis_pro]

Monfils in full pusher mode.

 

[Deleted member 743545]

Wawrinka is killing the ball.

 

[Red Rick]

Monfils in full pusher mode.

Asking questions to his student.

His student answers incorrectly

 

[junior74]

Pushfils breaks!

Lessons are already flowing from his spiritual mind

 

[mike danny]

Monfils in full pusher mode.

Kinda hard not to be nervous with his finals record.

 

[Red Rick]

That must've have beem the worst call I've ever seen

 

[True Fanerer]

Monfils looking like drunk Djokovic

 

[Paulreedsmith]

Gael junkballing Stan. May he rot in ell.

 

[Red Rick]

Kinda hard not to be nervous with his finals record.

Benneteau called and told Guru to meditate on the finals he did win

 

[Red Rick]

Monfils has never graded a net cord higher

 

[natalia]

Hatable french clown.

 

[Red Rick]

Hatable french clown.

You mad lol

 

[mike danny]

I think Monfils will regret not getting the double break when he had the chance.

 

[Red Rick]

Monfils playing cerebral tennis

The fabric of reality is torn apart in front of our eyes

 

[mike danny]

I don't know who to root for. I want Stan to get back on track and play at an elite level again, but I also want Monfils to win a final as well.

 

[tennis_pro]

I don't know who to root for. I want Stan to get back on track and play at an elite level again, but I also want Monfils to win a final as well.

Stan. We need someone to stop Djokovic because the new generations are garbage and I don't trust Nadal anymore even at the FO.

 

[junior74]

I don't know who to root for. I want Stan to get back on track and play at an elite level again, but I also want Monfils to win a final as well.

A loss today will improve Stan's chances at the French substantially

 

[flyingboris]

Stan hitting lots of shots just an inch wide or long. His UE count for set 1 will be pretty high, but many of these were not wild misses. If he manages to fine tune his shots a bit I could see a comeback.

 

[junior74]

Stan looks tired today

Was a lot more energetic yesterday

Guru too good

 

[Red Rick]

Stan. We need someone to stop Djokovic because the new generations are garbage and I don't trust Nadal anymore even at the FO.

Stan had that level like 5 matches in his career.

He's not getting back to that with any semblance of reliability

 

[flyingboris]

Stan looks tired today

He also appears to be wearing the shirt that he woke up in.

 

[Paulreedsmith]

Stan looks tired today

Was a lot more energetic yesterday

Guru too good

Yep. I was gonna put 200 on Stan if he lost the first, since Gaels stamina is crap. But Stan is the one looking tired today.

 

[True Fanerer]

Stan seems to have trouble with any balls at his feet lately.

 

[flyingboris]

Wow, nice FH DTL by Stan. That definitely deserved an upping of the grunt intensity.

 

[junior74]

He also appears to be wearing the shirt that he woke up in.

Just when you wrote that, he woke up

 

[Nostradamus]

WOW,, stan looks awesome with that insane good looking shots.. and with insane good looking rackets.

 

[flyingboris]

Wow, most amazing get I've seen this year. WTG Stan!

 

[junior74]

Stan was on his way to the chair there couldn't believe he missed

Breaks in the end. Good fighting there

 

[Red Rick]

Wow, most amazing get I've seen this year. WTG Stan!

It was standard.

 

[Red Rick]

Enter Le Clownfils

 

[underground]

Brain fart point from Monf and Stan breaks.

 

[flyingboris]

I really wish I had taken a screenshot of that get by Stan in the first game of the second. He was facing backward, was almost at the boards at the back of the court, and hit a well placed no look lob cross-court. Class!

 

[flyingboris]

It was standard.

Well in my defense, I haven't seen much tennis this year

 

[flyingboris]

Monfils blowing off some steam with that forehand

Meanwhile, Stan up 3-0 in the second. Monfils' level is dropping a bit, and Stan has decided to hit his shots inside the court. Smart move.

 

[tennis_pro]

So pushing worked only for a while, what now guru

 

[flyingboris]

Standard backhand by Stan

 

[tennis_pro]

Dat bh smash, dough.

 

[Mainad]

Brain fart point from Monf and Stan breaks.

Can't expect Gael to focus for TWO sets on the trot!

 

[True Fanerer]

That volley

 

[Mainad]

Wonder if Stan will get a bagel here?

 

[flyingboris]

I don't know what Gael is doing there.. I guess if you gotta relieve some tension, draping a towel over it is the polite thing to do.

 

[flyingboris]

C'mon Stan, break here so you can start serving in the 3rd.

 

[flyingboris]

Back-to-back inch perfect BH DTL by Monfils and by Stan.

BOOM! Stan takes the second. Let's see which Monfils shows up in set 3.