The last time Stan Wawrinka competed in Tokyo, three years ago, the Swiss raced to the title with the loss of just one set. The former World No. 3 looks in form to challenge for the trophy again, defeating #NextGenATP American Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships 2018.
“I think the level in general [was good]. I think today I was moving well. I think I was serving really well,” Wawrinka said. “On the indoor court, it’s never easy in the first round. But my level is there, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Wawrinka will hope to maintain if not improve the form he put on display against Fritz, winning all but one (31/32) of his first-serve points. The Swiss also broke serve at two of six opportunities. He next faces another #NextGenATP competitor in Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who dismissed Hyeon Chung in three sets on Monday. It will be the first FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting between the pair.
“I think he’s a really dangerous player. He’s playing really well. This year he’s improving a lot week by week,” Wawrinka said. “He’s young, he’s going for it, so it’s going to be a tough match for me, especially on an indoor court, fast court. He loves it, he loves to go for it, so I’m expecting a really tough battle.”
Wawrinka is steadily improving his level as he continues his comeback from two left knee surgeries last August. He’ll hope to add to his rich resume in Tokyo, where he has reached at least the quarter-finals in three of his four previous appearances.
“I’m really happy to be back for sure. I think I have a lot of support, a lot of fans. In 2015 I won the tournament, so it was a great memory. Since I’m here, there’s a lot of people coming for practice, for the match,” Wawrinka said. “Today I think was a really good from my side, especially for a first round, so I’m really happy with the win. But now I need to be ready for the second match against Shapovalov tomorrow.”
In other action, Frenchman Jeremy Chardy battled from a set down to defeat three-time ATP World Tour titlist Damir Dzumhur 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 45 minutes. The 31-year-old has now gotten through his opening-round match in Japan in all six of his appearances, and he has only lost to an opponent outside of the Top 20 in the ATP Rankings here once (2015, Muller).
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