TENNIS – In the second round of the Monte Carlo Master 1000, the world number three Stanislas Wawrinka showed a great level of game throughout the match, letting the Croat Marin CIlic win very few points in the making. Giulio Gasparin
Stanislas Wawrinka started his season on the red clay with a magnificent win over Marin Cilic by leaving him two games only.
In the second round of the Monte Carlo Master 1000, the world number three showed a great level of game throughout the match, letting the Croat win very few points in the making.
Wawrinka looked solid and patient, while Cilic looked on troubles from the beginning as the slow clay of the Principality was not helping his serve as he wished.
The Australian Open champion immediately found the right balance between defence and offence, shooting outstanding winners from both wings, giving no hope to Cilic.
The first set passed fast as the Swiss pulled a one man show in his 6-0 score, with the highlight being an outstanding winner on the run in the second game of the match. Wawrinka chased down a lob and managed to pass Cilic with a marvellous backhand down the line while still running backwards.
The Croat tried a reaction in the second set by changing his game plan, waiting for a few more shots before trying the winner and mixing up with more charges to the net.
In the first game it seemed to work, as he finally managed to appear on the scoreboard, but it looked more as if it was the Swiss having a mental break.
Wawrinka immediately returned to the first set’s level as he found a three games in a row stretch that left Cilic with no answer.
The Croat managed to find a service hold thanks to a couple of good serves, but it was a flash in the pan.
Wawrinka looked unstoppable and with no apparent difficulties went on closing 6-0 6-2 in 45 minutes.
In the case that the score does not tell enough of the story, on his first appearance on the dirt the Swiss scored 22 winners against only seven errors, as well as giving no break chances to his opponent, who had played on these court in the first round already.
Surely the Croat is not the biggest of the tests for a top player on red clay, but if that is the game the Swiss is ready to bring constantly to the table, it will take a lot of effort from everyone to take him down.
Wawrinka will now face the 15th seed Nicolas Almagro for a place in the quarter finals.
