Stan with a plan – Wawrinka scores stunner over Ruud in Basel
Stan Wawrinka kicked off his 15th appearance at the Swiss Indoors Basel with a major upset of world No 3 Casper Ruud.
Stan Wawrinka || Mao / Panoramic i
He may be 37, but there is still plenty of life left in Stan Wawrinka’s game. The Swiss put his talents on display on Tuesday in Basel, taking down second-seeded Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 for his biggest win by ranking since he upset world No 1 Novak Djokovic over three years ago, at the 2019 US Open.
“It’s so special,” an elated Wawrinka said after notching the 23rd top-5 win of his career. “A lot of emotion, being back here in Basel. Swiss fans have always been amazing for me. To play here has always been difficult because I’m always nervous when I enter this court – I always want to show my best.”
“I’m getting old, that’s for sure”
Wawrinka’s struggles over the last two seasons due to injury have been well-documented, but the world No 194 found himself in good form today as he earned his seventh win of the season against 12 losses.
“This is one of the big reasons and the main reason why I keep on playing. I’m getting old that’s for sure, I had to fight a lot in the last two years with injury. Surgery and coming back was not easy.”
Stan Wawrinka
He has repeatedly stated that he believes he can make one last push up the ranking in the months and years to come, and he showed that he can still be a factor against the game’s elite on Tuesday.
“It took me a little bit of time to adapt and to feel better on the court, but the level was great and I’m really happy with that,” Wawrinka said.
60 top-10 wins, and 23 top-5 wins for Wawrinka
Wawrinka cracked nine aces and won 26 of 28 first-serve points as he saved all three break points he faced against the 2022 Roland-Garros and US Open runner-up. He broke for 4-3 in the opening set, then saved three break points to consolidate in the next game.
In the second set Wawrinka broke at love for a 5-4 lead, then converted his second match point in the next game as he served out his 540th career win.
He becomes just the fourth active player to register 60 or more top-10 wins, joining the Big Three in that special club.
The Swiss’ struggles with knee and foot problems make the good moments even sweeter, and he was all smiles on Tuesday night as he looked forward to a second-round encounter with American Brandon Nakashima.
“This is one of the big reason and the main reason why I keep on playing,” he said. “I’m getting old that’s for sure, I had to fight a lot in the last two years with injury. Surgery and coming back was not easy.
“I was struggling really hard to get back in shape physically in tennis. So to be able to do that, to produce that tonight here in Switzerland, of course is something really special and hopefully I can keep playing well.”
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