Stan Wawrinka battled past Holger Rune 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 in a thrilling match to reach the fourth round at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time since 2020. With this win Wawrinka earned his milestone 550th win at the ATP Tour level.
Wawrinka wasted one match point on serve at 6-2 5-3 40-30. Wawrinka built up a 5-2 lead in the second set tie-break, but Rune won five consecutive points to win the tie-break 7-5. Wawrinka committed forehand errors to lose both service points from 5-2 in the tie-break.
Wawrinka earned the only break of the third set in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead and served out the win at love one hour and 16 minutes after his first match point.
“Right now it feels good, but the last 30 to 45 minutes were tough. I had the match in control. I was playing well. I was putting a lot of pressure. I should have done the match way before. I started to be nervous. I started to hesitate a little. I completely lost the line of my game, and he came back in the match. Rune is an amazing player, but it’s special to keep winning. I was trying to stay calm with myself. I already lost to him in Paris. All my career I know only one way. To keep fighting, working, pushing myself and stay positive. I am super happy to win. For me it was important to stay there mentally at the end, because I was playing well. I really enjoyed it. It was such a great atmosphere”, said Wawrinka.
