Wawrinka Fights Back Into St. Petersburg QF

Former World No. 3 and 2016 finalist Stan Wawrinka returned to the quarter-finals of the St. Petersburg Open on Wednesday, beating Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6(10), 7-6(1).

The fourth-seeded home favourite served for the opening set at 6-5 but was broken to 15 when Wawrinka smashed a crosscourt backhand winner. The 33-year-old Swiss then had three set points from 6/3 in the tie-break, but Khachanov erased them all and later had two set points of his own.

At last, however, Wawrinka sealed the 22-point tie-break on his fifth set point. There was little drama in the second set, as Wawrinka clinched the tie-break and the second-round match on his first opportunity.

The Swiss wild card, No. 88 in the ATP Rankings, will next meet defending champion Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Argentina’s Guido Pella.

Seventh seed Denis Shapovalov bided his time before upsetting the rhythm of Spanish qualifier Adrian Menendez-Maceiras 7-6(3), 6-2. The #NextGenATP Canadian won five of the first six points in the tie-break as well as five of the first six games in the second set on his debut at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament. Overall, he lost two of his first service points (31/33) and struck 10 aces in the 83-minute victory and now plays Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

Elsewhere, fifth seed Roberto Bautista Agut, a semi-finalist in each of the past three years, was equally impressive on serve in beating qualifier Luca Vanni of Italy 7-5, 6-2 in 81 minutes. He awaits 2004 champion Mikhail Youzhny, who won his 499th match of his 20-season pro career on Wednesday. The Russian wild card beat Mirza Basic of Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-6(6), 6-4. Youzhny will retire after this week’s tournament.

Read More: ‘Colonel’ Youzhny Set For Final Salute In St. Petersburg | Coaches’ Corner: Sobkin’s Systematic Approach & Life With Youzhny