Wawrinka stuns Federer to reach French Open semis

Stanislas Wawrinka advanced to the French Open men's singles semi-finals

Paris, June 2 (IANS) Eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka advanced to the French Open men's singles semi-finals for the first time after overcoming World No.2 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4) in an all-Swiss quarter-final here on Tuesday.

Wawrinka beat Federer at a Grand Slam championship for the first time. Federer previously had a 4-0 head-to-head record at majors. Wawrinka is through to his fourth major semi-final; he went on to win his first Grand Slam title at the 2014 Australian Open.

The 30-year-old Wawrinka goes on to face either home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Japan's Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.

Wawrinka got off to a lightning start in the match, breaking to love in the third game before going on to take the opener, saving a break point in the 10th game.

From 2-3 down in the second set, Wawrinka raised his level again to reel off four straight games and snatch the second set. It left Federer facing the challenge of coming back from two sets down for the 10th time in his career, and he was afforded no opportunity.

Federer could not find a way to break Wawrinka's serve and it was Wawrinka who pounced in the ensuing tie-break to seal victory in two hours and nine minutes. Despite the challenging weather, Wawrinka hit 43 winners to just 28 unforced errors.