Wawrinka Upbeat After Positive Week In Sofia

Stan Wawrinka was keen to look at the positives after his semi-final loss to Bosnian qualifier Mirza Basic at the Diema Xtra Sofia Open.

At the conclusion of just the second tournament of his comeback after a knee injury that kept him out for six months, the 32-year-old maintains great perspective.

“This week I was trying to be positive, trying to fight, knowing that I am not playing my best tennis but still had a chance to win, to make a final,” Wawrinka said. “I am sad with the result today but there are a lot of positives to take from the week.”

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The 16-time tour-level champion is focussed on returning to the form that saw him finish in the Top 10 of the year-end ATP Rankings in each of the past five seasons, even if he acknowledges there is work to do.

“I knew that it would be difficult but I think that it was a positive to have three matches in a row, to win two matches,” Wawrinka said. “But it cost me more energy because I am not used to playing matches… in general, I am playing every day a little bit better, feeling something new but I still have a lot of work to do to be back to my top [level].”

Despite the straight-set loss in the semi-finals, Wawrinka was pleased with certain aspects of his game.

“There are a lot of things I am doing well, playing well, moving well,” expressed Wawrinka. “But again, it is a part of the process to play my more matches, to get confidence.”

While there was disappointment at missing out on a place in his 29th career final, the Swiss star took a philosophical approach to the loss.

“It was really positive to fight and win two matches,” explained Wawrinka. “To be in the semi-finals today, I would have loved to win one more match… but I need to take the positives for the week.”

The former World No. 3 is the fifth seed at next week’s ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, where he will play wild card Tallon Griekspoor in the second round.