Wawrinka Returns To Court To Win One Game And Advance In Cincinnati

| by Evita Mueller

Stan Wawrinka made a winning return to the Cincinnati Masters beating Brandon Nakashima in three sets over two days.

Yes, the match didn't finish on the day that it began because there was a rain delay in Cincinnati, which became quite a usual thing over the past week. It's very rainy in that part of the United States these days, but the ATP 1000 event is likely to avoid the controversies of last week thanks to the weather looking more favourable in the coming days.

The match got suspended at a very bad time for Wawrinka because he was leading in the match. The Swiss veteran, who recently played in an ATP final after a very long time, was leading the match for much of it, but he also dropped the second set, which complicated things quite a bit.

The opening set was very competitive for the first part of it with both missing out on a break points. Wawrinka ultimately won it 6-3 thanks to better shot-making. He had twice as many winners as Nakashima in the set (10>5), which was crucial.

2023 Cincinnati Masters ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview
2023 Cincinnati Masters ATP & WTA Prize Money & Points Overview

He didn't serve that well in the opening set, and that remained the same in the second set. Nakashima had five break points but failed to use any of them though he did win the set in the tie-break. Wawrinka had more winners, but he didn't spread them out equally, which was a problem towards the end of the set.

The final set was a very interesting one as Wawrinka faced a 15-40 deficit in the opening game, and it seemed like Nakashima was on the verge of completely turning around the match. Fake news, as the Swiss veteran held and then broke him in the next game.

From there, it was pretty smooth sailing until the match was stopped at 5-2 for Wawrinka. Upon resumption, the Swiss player returned to the court with one task, and that was to win one game, and he managed to do that.

After the American wild card held his service game, the three-time Grand Slam champion managed to do the same thing, winning the match 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 to reach the second round of the 2023 Cincinnati Masters, setting up a clash with the tenth-seeded Frances Tiafoe.

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