(Rotterdam) The Swiss Stan Wawrinka and the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov reached the quarter-finals of the ATP-500 tournament in Rotterdam, unlike the Pole Hubert Hurvcaz (seeded N.5) and the Russian Andrey Rublev (N.2 ), main victims of the day on Wednesday.
Wawrinka won the veteran duel against Frenchman Richard Gasquet: 6-3, 6-3. The Swiss, 37 years old and dropped to 130e world rank after injuries that kept him away from the courts for a long time in 2021 and 2022, appeared solid against the French number one (36 years old, 45e at the ATP).
Former winner of the Dutch tournament in 2015, Wawrinka confirmed the good impression left during his first round won on Monday against the Kazakh Alexander Bublik, and at the end of which he was delighted to have “played (his) best match for years. month “.
Triple Grand Slam winner (Australia in 2014, Roland-Garros in 2015 and United States in 2016), Wawrinka said he was convinced of a return to the fore.
“I know I have to work hard, that the process takes time, especially at my age. But I also know that with the way I play, the way I train and the way I work hard, I’m going to achieve great results this year,” he told the Rotterdam tournament website. .
A big chunk awaits “Stanimal” in the quarter since he will be opposed to the winner of the match between the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded N.1 and 3e world player, to the Italian Jannik Sinner.
Dimitrov also reached the “final-8” of the Dutch tournament after taking out Hubert Hurkacz, 10e world player and seeded N.5, on a double decisive game 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).
Seeded N.2, Andrey Rublev (ATP 5) was victim of Alex De Minaur, 25e world player, from the first round. The Russian was sharply beaten by the Australian (6-4, 6-4) who will meet the American Maxime Cressy in the second round on Thursday.
