Defending champion Stan Wawrinka advanced to the quarter-finals of the French Open by maintaining his perfect record against Viktor Troicki on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wawrinka in last eight of French Open
Defending champion Stan Wawrinka advanced to the quarter-finals of the French Open by maintaining his perfect record against Viktor Troicki o
___5088138___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5088138___2016___5___29___20___stanwawrinkacropped_q1fw1w3qaw1919gnxdrt2s773_2
The third seed will face Albert Ramos-Vinolas, a surprise winner against Milos Raonic earlier in the day, after beating Troicki 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Two-time grand slam champion Wawrinka has now won all five matches against the 22nd seed from Serbia, who injured his thigh in third set and was unable to pull off an upset as his wait for a first appearance in the last eight of a major goes on.
After being taken to deuce in the first game, Wawrinka held with increasing ease before getting to 0-40 as Troicki served to stay in the opening set at 5-6.
ADVERTISEMENT
Troicki responded strongly, saving four set points, but Wawrinka came through the subsequent tie-break, albeit after spurning a further three opportunities to move ahead.
The Swiss broke to love at the start of set two, a trademark backhand winner down the line securing the final point, only to then lose four games in succession amid a flurry of unforced errors.
However, Troicki carelessly netted a forehand to cede the initiative and a second breaker was required.
On that occasion, it was Troicki who initially claimed the upper hand – establishing a 6-3 lead as light rain started to fall – but the Serbian followed Wawrinka's lead in making hard work of getting over the line, eventually taking his fifth set point.
Wawrinka responded in impressive fashion, breaking to love to lead 3-1 and giving a ball boy his moment in the spotlight by allowing the youngster to join him for a few rallies while Troicki received treatment for a thigh problem.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wawrinka sealed the third set when Troicki sent a backhand return into the tramline and victory was in sight when last year's champion went a double break up in the fourth at 4-1 by fizzing a cross-court forehand winner beyond the underdog.
The world number four served out the match to march into the last eight in convincing fashion.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
ACES
BREAK POINTS WON
ADVERTISEMENT
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
PERCENTAGE POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
How to save a life by doing CPR during an emergency
3 reasons most airplanes are painted white
How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents
Kuami Eugene shares post-accident recovery photos, expresses gratitude to supporters
'Biggest' Fella Makafui treats herself to a GH¢100k+ Santos de Cartier Watch
Here are 5 things you need to know about applying deodorant between your thighs
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph O. France as monitoring advisor for UMB recapitalisation efforts
Government halts implementation of price stabilization and recovery levy on petroleum products