2023-07-29 22:55:08
– Wawrinka in the final on the ATP Tour for the 1st time in 4 years
The Vaudois will play the final on Sunday in Umag, Croatia, after his victory against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Published today at 00:55
Stan Wawrinka was very solid against Lorenzo Sonego.
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Stan Wawrinka (ATP 72) qualified early Sunday morning for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Umag, Croatia, beating Italian Lorenzo Sonego (ATP 43, 28) 6-3 6-4, after one hour and 27 minutes of play. In this half started on Saturday at 11 p.m., the 38-year-old Vaudois showed himself to be superior in all areas of the game against his tall opponent (191 cm), especially very good in service.
This is the first time since 2019 and a lost final in Antwerp against Andy Murray, that the winner of three Grand Slams has qualified for a final on the ATP Tour.
Wawrinka returns to the top sixteen months after his return to competition, in April 2022 in Monte-Carlo, following an absence of more than a year due to two operations on his left foot.
Saturday, from the start of the match, the two players were very solid on their face-offs, leaving no chance for the opponent. No break points to get your teeth into, not even a small tie. Then, at 4-3 for the Vaudois, there was this return forehand crossed on Sonego’s serve and this backhand, also crossed, on a volley, which left the Italian speechless. Just wonderful. This gave Wawrinka two break points. Sonego put the first in the net, it was 5-3.
Behind, Wawrinka suffered to conclude, even leaving a break point for his opponent. But an ace, the second of the set, and two service winners allowed him to take the first set after 39 minutes of play.
Last title in 2017
The second run started like the first. Servers who are happy and no opportunity to take the opposing game up to 3-3. Sonego then served to regain the lead, but “Stanimal” came out of his box and, trailing 15-40, he managed to get back to level. He offered a 4-3 first serve that Sonego saved from a service winner. Then a second on which the Italian could not do anything but send the return of the Vaudois back into the net. The hardest part was done. The Vaudois let the storm pass on the Italian’s serve and, at 5-4, won the match on his second match point.
Sunday in the final, from 8 p.m., on the Croatian land of Umag where he lifted the first trophy of his career in 2006 against Novak Djokovic, Wawrinka will try to win a 17th title on the ATP Tour. The last dates from 2017, in Geneva, against Mischa Zverev. His opponent will be the Australian Alexei Popyrin (ATP 90, 23 years old), a player he has never faced.
Yves Desplands has been a journalist and editor at Sport-Center since 2015. He had held the same position for the sports section of Le Matin since 1999. From 1994 to 1999, he covered ice hockey and motocross for this daily. More informations
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