Flawless Stan Wawrinka tops Brandon Nakashima in Stockholm

10/16/2024 04:43 PM

Stan Wawrinka is still capable of delivering notable wins at 39 and a half years. The Swiss veteran made a rock-solid start at the ATP 250 event in Stockholm, toppling the 6th seed Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 20 minutes for his seventh ATP triumph of the season. Stan earned his first top-40 victory in 13 months, serving well and keeping the pressure on his opponent. The three-time dominated with his first serve, dropping four of 32 points and defending his second serve nicely to save the only break point and challenge his opponent to follow those numbers. Brandon failed to do that, struggling behind the second serve and getting broken two times from seven chances offered to the veteran. Stan trailed in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. However, he overpowered the younger rival in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges to seal the deal and advance into the last 16. Nakashima made a slow start, defending a break point in the first game of the clash before struggling again at 1-1.

Wawrinka created three break chances in the third game with a backhand crosscourt winner and seized the first after the rival's double fault for an early advantage. The Swiss served well in games four, six and eight, painting a forehand winner at 4-3 for a hold at love. The American served to stay in the set in game nine and faced two set points. Stan missed his chance on the second, allowing his rival to bring the game home and extend the set. The 39-year-old cracked a forehand winner at 5-4, holding at love and wrapping up the first part of the duel in 37 minutes. They provided comfortable holds at the beginning of the second set before Brandon played a loose service game at 1-1.

The better-ranked player denied two break points and wasted a game point that could have kept him on the positive side. Wawrinka converted the third break chance after the rival's backhand error, opening a set and a break advantage and moving closer to the finish line. The Swiss held at 15 in the fourth game after a forced error, cementing the lead and sailing toward the top. They served well in the next five games, with Nakashima holding at 3-5 to prolong the battle. Stan served for the win at 5-4 and faced the only break point after netting a volley. The veteran denied it with a powerful serve and created a match point with a fine serve & volley combo. Wawrinka landed another powerful serve, sealing the deal and earning his best victory since September last year.