US Open champion Stan Wawrinka has kicked off his campaign at the Shanghai Masters with a 6-3, 6-4, win over Kyle Edmund in the second round.
The third seed managed to tame the threat posed to him by the rising star with the help of 18 winners (three times more than Edmund) and a 80% winning first service rate. Wawrinka’s only blip in an otherwise convincing performance occurred midway through the second set. Breaking for a 2-0 lead, the Swiss player lost his advantage three games later after a fight back from the Brit. Nevertheless, Wawrinka still managed to stroll to a straight sets win after a forehand shank from Edmund allowed him to break once again and serve for the match. Closing out the proceedings, Wawrinka grabbed the victory with the help of a backhand slice volley.
“I’m really happy with my game so far. For my first match in new conditions I wasn’t expecting to play that well and I think I did a really good match today.” Said Wawrinka during an interview with Sky Sports UK.
Since the start of the US Open Wawrinka has won 11 out of his 12 matches on the tour after claiming the title in New York and reaching the final in St Petersburg. Despite further consolidating his third position in the world rankings, the 31-year-old has admitted that he currently isn’t focusing on reaching the world No.1 position.
“I don’t think at all about that goal. If you look at the ranking I’m number three in the world, just won a grand slam and i’m really happy with my year so far, but I’m really far away from Novak and Andy in the ranking.” He said.
In the third round Wawrinka will play either Gilles Simon or home favourite Wu Di.
Tomas Berdych’s chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in London has taken a blow after he was knocked out in straight sets by Marcel Granollers. The Czech was unable to grab a break point opportunity throughout the match as he went out 7-6(4), 7-6(1). Shanghai is the second consecutive tournament where Berdych has lost his opening match.
The loss means Berdych is still 325 points behind eighth placed Dominic Thiem in the race to the end of year tournament. Only the eight highest ranked player will qualifying for the event.
Earlier in the day, David Goffin set up a third round meeting with Gael Monfils after defeating Benoit Paire 6-1, 7-6(0).
