Italian Open: Wawrinka overcomes Paire scare

Benoit Paire threatened to dump the French Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka out under the lights in Rome, but failed to build on an encouraging start and Wawrinka's class shone through for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win.

Published : May 11, 2016 11:54 IST

Stanislas Wawrinka in action at the Italian Open.
Stanislas Wawrinka in action at the Italian Open.
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Stanislas Wawrinka in action at the Italian Open.

Stan Wawrinka came from a set down to beat Benoit Paire in the second round of the Italian Open on Tuesday. The two-time grand-slam champion was beaten by Paire when the two last met in Marseille in February, but the fourth seed gained revenge with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win.

Paire threatened to dump the French Open champion out under the lights in Rome, but failed to build on an encouraging start and Wawrinka's class shone through.

Wawrinka won 80 per cent of points on his first serve and took advantage as the unseeded Paire wilted, with the Swiss breaking three times in the second set and twice in the decider to set up a third-round match against Juan Monaco.

Kei Nishikori also needed three sets to make it through to the last 16, beating Viktor Troicki 5-7 6-2 6-3.

David Ferrer was given a test by Italian qualifier Filippo Volandri in the first round but came through, while Tomas Berdych and David Goffin were other seeds to reach the third round, but Kevin Anderson was beaten by Monaco 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. 

WAWRINKA SHIFTS THROUGH THE GEARS TO GO THROUGH

Wawrinka was in danger of suffering a surprise exit in a tournament which he reached the semifinal of last year, but the elegant Swiss raised his game after going a set down. Paire had no answer as the classy world number four shifted through the gears on Centre Court to advance in a contest which lasted an hour and 50 minutes.

Wawrinka has never won the Italian Open, losing in the last four to compatriot Roger Federer last year before going on to win at Roland Garros for the first time 12 months ago. 

NISHIKORI ENCOURAGED BY TROICKI WIN

Nishikori was in danger of making an early exit, but dug deep to beat Troicki in just under two hours.

The sixth seed, who now face Richard Gasquet or Andreas Seppi, said: "After the first set I tried to step in a little more, and I think in the first set I wasn't aggressive enough to keep him moving side to side,

"I think in the second and third sets, I started hitting much better backhands, started playing angles, down the line, and everything worked well after the first set. Tennis-wise I'm happy with what I'm doing. I think I'm serving well, returning well." 

FERRER OUTLASTS VOLANDRI

Ferrer got himself out of the mire and quietened a vocal crowd to beat Italian qualifier Volandri 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the first round.

Volandri conjured up some brilliant winners and took the first set in style, but was unable to finish off the job with Ferrer battling back as Roma legend Francesco Totti watched on.

Rafael Nadal will face Philipp Kohlschreiber in the second round after the German beat qualifier Inigo Cervantes 6-4, 6-2.

STARS TAKE TO THE COURT

World number one Novak Djokovic is in action against Stephane Robert on Wednesday, while Roger Federer goes head-to-head with Alexander Zverev. Andy Murray will face Mikhail Kukushkin and big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic meets Nick Kyrgios.

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