Metz Open: Van Assche through to the last eight as Wawrinka retires with injury

Frenchman Luca Van Assche moved into the last eight of the Metz Open after Stan Wawrinka, the No 8 seed, was forced to retire injured on Wednesday evening at the Arènes de Metz.

Van Assche, ranked No 70, led 3-6, 7-6 (6) when Wawrinka, ranked No 53, pulled out of the match.

The Swiss was in good form for the opening two sets, winning the first with some explosive groudstrokes, before narrowly losing the second.

He was a match point up when he sustained the injury.

The 19-year-old Frenchman will face French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert next.

Ahead of his victory, Luca Van Assche edged out Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5)).

The 38-year-old Swiss beat Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles (6-0, 6-2) in the previous round of the Metz tournament.

Metz ATP250, other second-round results (Arènes de Metz, EUR 562.815, most recent results first):

• Abdullah Shelbayh vs. Lorenzo Sonego
• Fabio Fognini (WC) beat Alexander Bublik (5): 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5)
• Pierre-Hugues Herbert beat Gijs Brouwer (LL): 7-5, 6-4
• Alexander Shevchenko beat Mate Valkusz (LL): 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
• Karen Khachanov (3) beat Constant Lestienne: 6-4, 6-4
• Ugo Humbert (4) beat Dominic Thiem: 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3
• Harold Mayot (Q) beat Gregoire Barrere: 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5)