Internet Desk : Stanislas Wawrinka beat Russian teenager Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-2 and advanced to the Aircel Chennai Open quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The two-time defending Swiss champion aiming for a fourth title in Chennai, did not face a break point during the match. Wawrinka was menacing on the return, breaking Rublev three times on nine opportunities in the pair’s first meeting on ATP tour . “It was the first match of the year for me and it was important to be ready for that,” Wawrinka said. “Every tournament is a challenge and he (Rublev) has very good potential.” he added.
The top-seeded Swiss player’s next opponent is the fifth-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain, who eliminated Croatian qualifier Ante Pavic 7-6(5), 6-1. Fourth-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain also won, beating John Millman of Australia 6-4, 6-1 to set up a match against Borna Coric of Croatia. Also victorious was the19- year old, eighth seed Borna Coric, who eliminated American Austin Krajicek 6-2, 7-5 in 90 minutes.
Second-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa withdrew from the tournament with a knee injury. Alexander Kudryavtsev of Russia replaced him and will play Ramkumar Ramanathan of India in the second round on Thursday.