Stan Wawrinka writes ultimate Olympic Games history in Paris

07/29/2024 04:06 AM

Stan Wawrinka is the most experienced player at the Paris Olympics. The Swiss veteran did not care much about that fact during a rock-solid 6-1, 6-1 victory over Pavel Kotov in the first round, ousting the Russian in 53 minutes and making a winning start. At 39 years and 122 days, Wawrinka became the oldest player to score a singles win at the Olympic Games since 1988, earning a notable record. Stan is competing at only his third Olympic Games, suffering early losses in Beijing 2008 and London 2012 before missing Rio and Tokyo due to injuries. The Swiss did everything right against the Russian at Roland Garros, performing like a true former champion of the clay Major. Wawrinka barely served above 50%, but no one could notice that. Stan dropped six points in his games, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side. Kotov, the better-ranked player, stood miles behind that pace. He lost over half of the points in his games and suffered five breaks from as many chances offered to his rival.

Stan held in the first game of the encounter with a forehand winner and landed a backhand slice winner at the net in game two for a break point. Kotov sprayed a backhand error, losing serve and falling 2-0 behind. Wawrinka painted a forehand winner in the third game and closed it with a service winner for a 3-0 advantage in no time. The Russian reduced the deficit with his rare hold in the fourth game before the Swiss grabbed the next one with a forehand crosscourt winner. Dominating the rallies, Stan created break points in the sixth game with a drop shot winner and seized the first after causing Pavel's volley mistake at the net. Wawrinka served for the opener at 5-1 and created three set points with an unreturned serve. The 2015 Roland Garros champion fired an ace, holding at love and wrapping up the opener in style in under 25 minutes. They held at love at the beginning of the second set before Stan made a push on the return at 1-1.

Kotov sprayed a backhand error and faced two break points, slamming the ball outside the court and receiving a code violation. Pavel sprayed a drop shot error, losing serve at 15 and sending his rival a set and a break in front. Stan fired a forehand winner in the fourth game, forging a 3-1 advantage and marching toward the top. Kotov placed a forehand wide in the fifth game, suffering another break and falling 4-1 behind. Wawrinka fired a service winner in the sixth game, holding at love and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Stan created a match point after causing Pavel's volley error and cracked a forehand crosscourt winner for a brilliant win and an Olympic record.