(Monaco) Alexander Bublik cut short Stanislas Wawrinka’s return to the circuit, defeating the Swiss veteran 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters in his first singles match in 13 months .
Posted at 2:42 p.m.
Updated at 4:30 p.m.
Wawrinka started off confident against the Kazakh, winning the first set with ease. He saved three set points in the second to come back to 5-5, but showed signs of fatigue. In the deciding set, Bublik took an early lead and wrapped up the match in just over two hours.
The 37-year-old Wawrinka’s last appearance on the circuit was in March 2021 when he lost his opener at the Qatar Open. He has had two surgeries on his left foot since and has gone through tough months of recovery.
“I’m still a long way from where I want to be, but I think I’m going in the right direction,” Wawrinka revealed. Despite “a tough loss” to No. 35-ranked Bublik, the Swiss said it felt good to be on the pitch, packed with spectators and playing competitively.
“It was much better than I expected,” added Wawrinka.
Still, physical and mental fatigue made him think he might have returned to the circuit too soon. He has no other tournaments on his schedule, but intends to devote more time to training.
“I need a lot more…and I have to work hard on my tennis and my fitness,” concluded Wawrinka.
Croatian Marin Cilic defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-2, ending the Frenchman’s last Monegasque tournament.
The 36-year-old Tsonga announced last week that he will retire after Roland-Garros, wanting to end a career that has been marred by injuries on home soil.
Photo VALERY HACHE, Agence France-Presse
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost to Marin Cilic 6-2 and 6-2 in 1:07.
Ranked 254andTsonga was easily beaten by Cilic, 22and.
Fifth in the world in 2012, Tsonga will have to count on an invitation from the organizers to participate in Roland-Garros.
The French stage of the Grand Slam will begin on May 22, in Paris.
Previously, American Sebastian Korda, Italian Fabio Fognini and Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas won their match.