(Madrid) The Swiss Stan Wawrinka, 84e world, was pushed to three sets by American Maxime Cressy, 39e world, but ended up winning in a snatch 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) on Wednesday to join the second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid.
Wawrinka, former world No.3, will face Russian Andrey Rublev, sixth player in the world and recent winner in Monte-Carlo, in the second round on Friday.
For his return to the Spanish capital after three years of absence due to injuries, the 38-year-old Swiss had to scrap to overcome his young opponent (25 years old), with in particular a decisive game lost in the first set, and another won on an ace to win the game.
“It was a very tough match, but against Maxime, I expected it. It was my first time against him, and he serves really well. In addition, on this very fast clay, it was all the more difficult. But I concentrated on my game, and it passed, “savored Wawrinka after the match.
In the women’s draw, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who returned to the circuit three weeks ago after a year-long hiatus for pregnancy, was beaten 6-4, 7-5 in the first round by Belarus and 47e World Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
Raducanu package
Emma Raducanu, for her part, withdrew due to pain in her right hand a few hours before the start of her match against Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova, which was to take place on center court, and was replaced by the Austrian Julia Grabber.
The twenty-year-old Briton, 85e world, is therefore on the verge of leaving the WTA top 100, less than two years after his surprise victory at the US Open.
Very tense on Tuesday, Raducanu only released 58 words in a press conference, and slipped that his wrist was “OK”.
It is therefore the Austrian Grabher, winner of Tomova 6-1, 7-6 (7-5), who will face the world N.1 Iga Swiatek in the second round.