2016 champion Stan Wawrinka ousted a tough Ugo Humbert 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 to set up a third round meeting with Milos Raonic at the US Open.
The first set was tentative from Wawrinka as he was figuring out how to approach the match with his unknown French opponent. This was the 20 year old’s first grand slam outside of France and was putting up a great fight against a former US Open champion in Wawrinka. The Frenchman continued to serve effectively as Wawrinka didn’t create too many break point opportunities.
The 2016 champion was forced into a first set tiebreak as the temperatures continued to rise on Wednesday morning in New York. Despite the Frenchman’s impressive groundstrokes he was unable to grind past Wawrinka as the more experienced player took the tiebreak 7-5.
The second set provided a more open contest as both men started to work their shots a lot more, with little margin for error as well. The multiple grand slam champion initially found the breakthrough as he broke for a 3-1 lead but some brilliant resilience from the young qualifier saw a break back straight away. The world number 139 was not use to big stages such as this but was holding his own very nicely and was starting to get the crowd involved as well.
An unexpected break in the ninth game all but sealed the set for the 20 year old qualifier, who had now levelled the match against the former US Open champion. The unknown entity was delighted, Wawrinka wasn’t so much as he smashed his racquet in frustration.
The now world number 101 knew he had to get off to a quick start in the third set and received his rewards for his determination as he broke at the start of the set. The power and precision from Wawrinka was back to where it needed to be as he started to dominate his French opponent. Another break of serve was enough as the former champion eased into a two sets to one lead.
After a 10 minute break both the heat on the court and off it was intensifying as both men were looking to grab the edge in the fourth set. The Frenchman remained stubborn as he prolonged the match even further than Wawrinka would have liked. Eventually on his second time of trying the 2016 champion successfully served out the match to seal a tough four set win.
👏#respect (info – @wayne_inc )(🎥Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/9hS9yhTE1N
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) August 29, 2018
The relief on Wawrinka said it all as he applauded Humbert off the court, who had presence and maturity beyond his years. However it is the unseeded Swiss who advances to the last 32 and will play Milos Raonic on Friday after he dispatched Gilles Simon in straight sets. The big serving Canadian produced a more solid performance as he blasted to a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win.
The other third round match that has also been set for Friday is Daniil Medvedev versus Borna Coric. The in-form Russian took out 15th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a four set battle. The Greek superstar was far from his best despite Medvedev’s impressive play but take nothing away from the Winston-Salem winner who has momentum on his side.
He will now play young Croatian Borna Coric who battled past Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(4) 6-2 6-3 in 2 and a half hours. Despite having medical treatment during the match, Coric completed the win to book his spot in the third round.
