Stan Wawrinka advanced to the Quarter-Finals in Sofia after a 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory over Martin Klizan, in his first match since his second round exit at the Australian Open.
The three time grand slam champion, who received a wildcard in Bulgaria as he replaced Dimitrov in the draw, started the match tentatively as he was getting used to the indoor conditions in Sofia. His nervous backhands were costing him the first set as his Slovakian opponent broke on his first break point for a 4-3 lead.
The world number 147 is a dangerous opponent on his day and he was starting to punish Wawrinka for his errors. Some big serving helped Klizan wrap up the first set 6-4 in 38 minutes.
There were a number of break point opportunities at the start of the second set as the Slovakian was looking to continue his momentum from the opening set. However it was the world number 15 who took his opportunities and broke on his third attempt for a 3-1 lead.
From that point onwards it was all Wawrinka as he used his trademark backhands to dominate Klizan all over the court. The top seed secured the second break of the set to level the match at one set all.
The big hitting Slovakian had his chances at the start of the decider when he created a couple of break points. However he couldn’t take them and would be made to pay for those missed opportunities. Just like the second set Wawrinka broke for a 3-1 lead as he continued to target the Klizan forehand.
The top seed’s big serving was good enough to seal the match on his first match point in exactly two hours. It was a much needed win for the multiple time grand slam champion who played his first match since his second round exit at the Australian Open to Tennys Sandgren.
Wawrinka will now play sixth seed Viktor Troicki who defeated Denis Istomin 7-6(4) 1-6 7-6(5). Despite losing ten more points than his Uzbekistanian opponent, he managed to serve bigger and better on the crucial points to gain victory and book his place in the last eight.
However second seed Adrian Mannarino wasn’t so lucky in avoiding upsets as he was ousted by Cypriot veteran Marcos Baghdatis 6-7(4) 6-3 6-1. It was a frustrating afternoon as his erratic errors cost him a place in the Quarter-Finals. Baghdatis will now play Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik.
