Stan Wawrinka wins a marathon three-setter to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead over France in his final season on the professional tennis tour.
STAN Wawrinka began the final season of his career with a dramatic three-set victory at the United Cup on Saturday.
The 40-year-old Swiss veteran defeated France’s Arthur Rinderknech 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) in a match lasting nearly three and a half hours.
His win gave Switzerland an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie after team-mate Belinda Bencic’s earlier victory.
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Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, sealed the marathon contest on his first match point.
“It’s amazing to have such support on my first time here,” Wawrinka said.
“After 20 years on the tour it’s amazing to finally play here. Today’s match was tough but I’m happy we could start 2-0.”
This marked his first-ever competitive appearance in Perth despite his long career.
He overcame an opponent a decade younger in a tense battle decided by two tie-breaks.
The United Cup is an 18-nation mixed-team event serving as build-up to the Australian Open.
In other Saturday action in Sydney, Zhang Zhizhen led China to a 2-1 tournament-opening win over Belgium. – AFP
