(Monte Carlo) Stan Wawrinka, 90e world champion and winner in 2014, qualified for the second round of the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo on Monday by beating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (35e) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
The 38-year-old Swiss will face American Taylor Fritz (10e) for a spot in the round of 16.
“It’s a pleasure to be here… It hasn’t been easy. A first round, which is more on clay, you have to go get it. I expected a difficult match and it took a lot of patience, I had to stay calm,” commented Wawrinka.
Monte-Carlo is the third tournament in the Masters 1000 category that has been the most successful for him since the start of his career with now 22 matches won (27 in Indian Wells and 24 in Rome), including a final against Roger Federer in 2014.
But he hasn’t passed the second round since 2017.
Winner of three Grand Slam tournaments and ex-N. 3 in the world, Wawrinka is trying to regain his best level after two seasons marred by injuries.
