Stockholm Open: Wawrinka earns impressive win over Nakashima to make second round

Stan Wawrinka reached the second round of the Stockholm Open by beating American Brandon Nakashima, the No 6 seed, 6-4, 6-4 at the Kungliga Tennishallen.

It is a thoroughly impressive win for the veteran Swiss wildcard, coming through in two tight sets against the sixth seed and in-form Nakashima.

At 39 years of age, Wawrinka is one of the oldest players still active on the singles circuit. Nakashima, on the other had, is 16 years his junior at 23 years of age.

But experience proved the key today, as well as a famously formidable one-handed backhand that was in fine fettle throughout the contest.

The Swiss also served particularly well, holding onto serve across the match while breaking one in each set to clinch a deserved win, with Nakashima only managing to generate a single break point opportunity.

“I was feeling great. I have been feeling good in practising the last few days and I was feeling good on the court, so I was happy to play that level already from the first match,” Wawrinka told Swedish sports site SpilXperten after the match.

“I was moving well and my game was aggressive. I am very happy with the victory.

“I enjoy what I am doing and enjoy waking up and going to practise and still have the chance to play at such a nice tournament like here. As long as I am enjoying that, I am going to keep pushing a little bit.”

Wawrinka, currently ranked No 217 in the world as he continues to grapple with injuries and form in the late stages of his career, will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next after the Spaniard defeated Tirante earlier in the day in the Swedish capital.

Stockholm ATP 250, other first-round results (Kungliga Tennishallen, hard, EUR 690.135, most recent results first):

• Quentin Halys beat Sumit Nagal: 6-0, 6-4
• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Thiago Agustin Tirante (Q): 7-6 (2), 6-2
• Alexandre Muller beat Leo Borg (WC): 6-3, 7-6 (5)
• Nicolas Jarry (5) beat Elias Ymer (WC): 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7)
• Laslo Djere (Q) beat Pedro Martinez Portero: 6-2, 6-0
• Miomir Kecmanovic beat Cameron Norrie: 6-4, 6-4
• Jacob Fearnley (Q) beat Corentin Moutet: 6-2, 7-6 (5)
• Matteo Berrettini beat Luciano Darderi (8): 6-4, 6-3
• Tallon Griekspoor (7) beat Pavel Kotov: 6-4, 6-3
• Lorenzo Sonego beat Marc-Andrea Huesler (Q): 7-6 (1), 7-5
• Dominic Stricker beat Aleksandar Kovacevic: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4