Stanislas Wawrinka survives second round clash against Édouard Roger-Vasselin – Chennai Open 2012
Third seeded Swiss, Stanislas Wawrinka, faced some serious resistance from the French, Édouard Roger-Vasselin, in the men’s singles second round competition at the 2012 Chennai Open on Wednesday. The defending champion, Wawrinka, had to strain hard before toppling
Vasselin 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to make it through to the quarter-final round of the ATP (Association of Tennis professionals) World Tour 250 tournament.
The world number 17 was in high spirits to begin his title defence but Vasselin gave a rough ride to Wawrinka before eventually submitting. The Swiss player had a great start in the match with ten aces, while Vasselin could score four. The 26-year-old Swiss
was looking for a straight set win but the French showed his confident stance on the court, taking the Swiss by surprise. Wawrinka appeared shaky while playing his shots and Vasselin kept his offensive command by pocketing some great points with his forehand.
Wawrinka could only look in disbelieve as the French destroyed him 6-3.
Vasselin aimed at winning the second set but Wawrinka came back strong, assuring that the French don’t create an upset in the second round and launched his counter attack with force. He used his service games to accelerate
himself into the match with a 68 percent first serve winning ratio as compared to the 59 percent ratio his opponent had maintained.
Wawrinka showed his aggressive self into the second set which was not seen in the opening one, as he pressed on the accelerator to cruise into a lead against the 28-year-old Vasselin. Wawrinka’s service games gave him the momentum he was looking for, something
he should have done in the first set. His return shots were also impressive, as he broke Vasselin’s serves twice in the set, which reduced French players’ pace considerably. Vasselin’s efforts to claim the second set were tarnished by Wawrinka, who restricted
him to three games and pocketed six games to equalize the match with one set apiece.
Both players focused their attention to the decisive third set but here again Vasselin excelled with his decent serves and good shot selection. He even broke Wawrinka’s serve once into the set which was a major cause of concern for the 2011 Champion. Vasselin
showed determination in the third set when he won five games. He was nearing to an upset win over the Swiss, but Wawrinka barely managed to win the final set 7-5 and win the match after a thrilling end.
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