Wawrinka continues winning streak in Russia
Top seeded US Open champion Stan Wawrinka made a successful Saint Petersburg Open debut on Wednesday, cruising comfortably into the last eight by beating Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic.
The Swiss star prevailed 6-3, 6-1 in just 57 minutes to record his sixth win over Rosol in as many meetings.
The world number three raced through the first set, courtesy of service breaks in the fifth and ninth games.
The 31-year-old was checked in the first game of the second set when he was trailing 0-40, but then rallied to produce two more breaks to seal the set and the match.
"I think my level today was good," Wawrinka said. "I was really focused trying to be aggressive, trying to find the right way for the first round. And I'm happy with my performance."
Fourth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut battled back from a set down to advance into the quarterfinals by beating Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2).
"It wasn't easy for me to play the first match here," said the Spaniard.
"It was tough to get used to the conditions, the balls and the surface. Hopefully I will perform better in the quarters."
Joao Sousa of Portugal, seeded eighth, also overcame a one-set deficit to beat Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in a tough three-setter 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 on his way to the second round.
Seventh seed Serb Viktor Troicki experienced few troubles in his opening round match seeing off Portugal's Gastao Elias 6-1, 6-2.
Sousa will next face Russian wildcard Andrey Rublev, while Troicki takes on compatriot Dusan Lajovic.
Comments
See Also
The Swiss star prevailed 6-3, 6-1 in just 57 minutes to record his sixth win over Rosol in as many meetings.
The world number three raced through the first set, courtesy of service breaks in the fifth and ninth games.
The 31-year-old was checked in the first game of the second set when he was trailing 0-40, but then rallied to produce two more breaks to seal the set and the match.
"I think my level today was good," Wawrinka said. "I was really focused trying to be aggressive, trying to find the right way for the first round. And I'm happy with my performance."
Fourth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut battled back from a set down to advance into the quarterfinals by beating Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2).
"It wasn't easy for me to play the first match here," said the Spaniard.
"It was tough to get used to the conditions, the balls and the surface. Hopefully I will perform better in the quarters."
Joao Sousa of Portugal, seeded eighth, also overcame a one-set deficit to beat Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in a tough three-setter 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 on his way to the second round.
Seventh seed Serb Viktor Troicki experienced few troubles in his opening round match seeing off Portugal's Gastao Elias 6-1, 6-2.
Sousa will next face Russian wildcard Andrey Rublev, while Troicki takes on compatriot Dusan Lajovic.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.