Federer beats Djokovic to reach Monte Carlo final

Roger Federer ousted defending Monte Carlo Masters champion Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 today to set up an all-Swiss final against Stanislas Wawrinka.
Djokovic complained of soreness in his right wrist at the start of the week and took to the court with it heavily strapped. Although he seemed to be fairly comfortable at the start of the semifinal, the wrist seemed to affect him more toward the end of the first set, and he was serving way below his best throughout the second.
"It's unfortunate that when you're playing at this level against Roger, big tournament, that you are not able to play your game because something else is taking away all your energy and effort," Djokovic said.

"This injury has been present for last 10 days, and I tried not to think or talk about it. I did everything I could really, I was on the medications every day, I was doing different therapies, injections."
The fourth-seeded Federer entered the tournament only after accepting a wild card invitation, having missed the two previous editions, and he bids to win it for the first time after losing three consecutive finals to eight-time champion Rafael Nadal from 2006-08. He improved to 18-16 against Djokovic in their head-to-heads.
Sunday's final will be the first all-Swiss final since Marc Rosset beat Federer in Marseille in 2000, and the first time that Federer and Wawrinka meet for a title. The odds appear against Wawrinka, who trails Federer 13-1 overall. But he will take heart from the fact the only win was here, in the third round, back in 2009.

Djokovic missed two break-point chances when he had Federer 15-40 down in the 10th game, but Federer's backhand got him out of trouble and he saved the next one with a smash at the net.
Federer's touch was inconsistent in his quarterfinal win against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but he was sharp against Djokovic, teasing him with one casual drop shot that surprised the Serb and drew loud cheers from the center-court crowd soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine.