-Washington, D.C
Stan Wawrinka’s comeback took another hit in the Nation’s Capital. Wawrinka, now World No. 198 played an up and down match losing to American Donald Young on the main stadium court at the Citi Open ATP 500 event 6-4, 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-3).
“Stan the Man’ he may be but Stan is anything but the man on the court of late. He continues to struggle since returning from knee surgery earlier this year. Despite saying he did some good things after the match he has won just three times in 10 tries since coming back.
Wawrinka, playing in Washington for the first time since 2010, had 40 winners and 42 unforced errors in the two hour 21 minute affair. 25 of those 42 mistakes came on his backhand including match point which he shanked high into the night..
Young, who has had a miserable year, won just his third main draw ATP match of 2018 and just his second since February.
Young had 24 winners, won 12 of 18 points at the net and fended off the only two break points he faced in the final set. His reward, he will now play Kei Nishikori in the first night match on Wednesday.
One thing Wawrinka did have going for himself on Tuesday was his wardrobe. A black and white patterned shirt along with bright orange shoes were a hot topic of the fashion police on the grounds of the Rock Creek Park. A quick poll suggested the former World No. 3 should get a “thumbs up” emoji for his efforts.
Wawrinka also told the media scrum after his match that he did not receive a Wild Card into the main draw of the Rogers Cup. Instead he said he will try to earn his way in through qualifying.
@Sportshorn
