Stan Wawrinka smashes Roger Federer record after opening round win in Basel

Posted by Admin October 24, 2024 Tennis

Swiss veteran smashed his countryman Roger Federer’s long-standing record in Basel with an impressive victory.

The back-end of 2024 has seen a handful of late and often unlikely surges from players many had considered all but done.

Roberto Bautista-Agut has put himself in the running to displace Rafael Nadal’s spot in the singles – a decision poor David Ferrer will have to weigh up soon.

Now, Stan Wawrinka has started seeing the results turn good.

In front of a buoyant home crowd at the Swiss indoors event in Basel, Wawrinka managed to rally past fellow veteran Adrian Mannarino in three sets – smashing both a personal and larger tennis record in the process.

Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Stan Wawrinka breaks Roger Federer record in Basel

An impressive win for the 39-year-old saw him break his dodgy record against the Frenchman, with his opening round victory stemming a run of three straight defeats to Mannarino.

With retirements swirling around at the moment, as one one-handed backhand fades out with Dominic Thiem’s retirement, another is keeping the flag flying.

A 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, victory in over saw Wawrinka became the oldest match winner in the Swiss Indoors tournament history, beating Roger Federer’s old record.

He told the ATP afterwards: “I always lost close matches [against Mannarino], but this was the first one I played at home, so I think it’s thanks to you [the crowd] that I won today.

“Today I was able to be more patient with myself and stay aggressive when I needed to be. These difficult wins in the opening rounds are the ones that make me the most happy.

“It’s a pleasure to come to Basel each year, it’s one of the reasons why I aim to keep going, so I want to thank the tournament for the invitation, for the chance to play in the main draw.”

Boris Becker was one onlooker who relished the occasion, giving an instant four-word reaction on X.

The German wrote: “Stan is the Man,” in a statement that for the time being cat be refuted!

Stan Wawrinka faces a tough test against Ben Shelton

A stern test awaits for the Swiss, with America’s Ben Shelton – who wasn’t born when Wawrinka turned professional – in the next round.

Having never met before, the odds are stacked against the veteran in this one.

However, Wawrinka has beaten the likes of Andrey Rublev, and Brandon Nakashima – who defeated Tommy Paul yesterday – recently in Stockholm, demonstrating that he’s not to be taken lightly.

While Shelton’s huge serve and blistering ball-striking will be a lot to weather, Wawrinka’s experience, coupled with the freedom he can play with in front of a home crowd, may well give his opponent a little more to think about.