Wawrinka Stuns Top Seed Rublev to Reach Stockholm Semifinals
Swiss Player Rolls Back the Years with Victory
Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has stunned top seed Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals of the Stockholm Open on October 18. The 39-year-old Wawrinka, ranked 217th in the world, fought past seventh-ranked Russian Rublev 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) to earn his first win over a top-10 player this year.
Next Up: Wawrinka to Face Paul in Semifinals
Wawrinka will now face US fourth seed Tommy Paul, the 2021 Stockholm champion, who defeated Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 in a grueling match.
Wawrinka Reflects on His Career
When asked how he manages to continue competing at a high level, Wawrinka replied, “I cannot change my age, but most important for me is that when I enter the court, I always try to fight. I try to improve and enjoy what I am doing. The reason I keep going is to play matches like this, with so many people giving me good energy on the court, and I’m super happy to have the chance to play one more match tomorrow.”
Key to Success: Staying Focused and Positive
The former world No 3 credited his victory to his ability to stay focused and positive throughout the match. “The key was to stay focused and positive with myself,” he said. “I let a 2-0 lead in the second set slip, but I was able to regroup and capitalize on my opportunities.”
Aims for 17th ATP Title
Wawrinka is seeking his 17th ATP title, and first since Geneva in 2017. He has a strong chance of achieving this feat, given his impressive performance against the top-seeded Rublev.
Other Results from the Tournament
Other results from the tournament include World number 37 Tallon Griekspoor, who knocked out second seed Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) on the back of 13 aces and saving all three break points he faced. Griekspoor will now face Bulgarian third seed Grigor Dimitrov, who eased past Dominic Stricker of Switzerland 6-3, 6-2.
Conclusion
Stan Wawrinka’s impressive victory over Andrey Rublev is a testament to his determination and perseverance. As he prepares to face Tommy Paul in the semifinals, Wawrinka will look to build on his strong performance and continue his bid for a 17th ATP title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of Wawrinka’s victory over Rublev?
A: Wawrinka’s victory is significant as it marks his first win over a top-10 player this year and demonstrates his ability to compete against top-level opponents despite being 39 years old.
Q: What are Wawrinka’s goals for the remainder of the tournament?
A: Wawrinka aims to win his 17th ATP title and first since Geneva in 2017, and will look to build on his strong performance against Paul in the semifinals.
Q: Who did Wawrinka face in his quarterfinal match?
A: Wawrinka faced Andrey Rublev, the top seed, in his quarterfinal match and won in straight sets.