Wawrinka revives fire in Athens thriller
Stan Wawrinka channeled his fighting spirit to overcome Botic van de Zandschulp in a tense Athens opener, teeing up a high-stakes encounter with Lorenzo Musetti on the line for Nitto ATP Finals qualification.
On the outdoor hard courts of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship, Stan Wawrinka summoned a classic comeback to edge Botic van de Zandschulp 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, delighting the packed stands under the Mediterranean evening sky. The Swiss veteran’s journey from a shaky start to a gritty decider captured the electric atmosphere, where every point echoed with crowd support that seemed to lift him through the humid air. For a former world No. 3, these hard-fought wins on a surface that rewards precision and power rekindle the passion that defines his enduring career.
Adjustments unlock second-set surge
Wawrinka absorbed van de Zandschulp’s early dominance, marked by sharp inside-out forehands that controlled the baseline rallies and forced errors on the consistent hard bounce. As the second set unfolded, he countered with deeper crosscourt backhands laced with underspin, disrupting his opponent’s rhythm and opening angles for down-the-line strikes that leveled the momentum. This tactical pivot, honed over years on similar courts, turned potential defeat into a tiebreak triumph, setting the stage for a third set where his one–two combinations began to dominate.
The crowd’s rising energy amplified his focus, transforming the match into a shared pulse of anticipation as points stretched longer under the lights.
“It’s a big reason why I keep doing it, is to be full of the emotion, to see the fans supporting me, giving me so much energy,” Wawrinka said. “It’s still amazing. It’s something that I know the day I will stop I will not find anywhere else.”
Musetti clash heightens finals stakes
Now facing second seed Lorenzo Musetti in the second round, Wawrinka anticipates a duel rich in variety, with the Italian’s fluid one-handed backhand and subtle slice drops testing his movement on this medium-paced hard court. Musetti carries extra motivation: victory in this ATP 250 event would clinch his first appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals, a breakthrough that has eluded him despite a strong season. The veteran respects his opponent’s form, having scouted multiple matches to prepare for the blend of creativity and consistency that could exploit any fatigue.
“He has a big challenge in front of him for getting there and it’s important for him of course,” Wawrinka observed post-match. “It’s a big challenge facing him. He’s playing so well. I’ve watched him play many matches this year, so I’m looking forward to playing him and seeing where I am.” This matchup promises psychological depth, pitting Wawrinka’s battle-tested power against Musetti’s quest for redemption.
Qualifiers stir draw’s underdog pulse
Elsewhere, qualifier Eliot Spizzirri stunned Laslo Djere 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-2 in their initial ATP Head2Head, surging from a season-opening No. 228 to No. 86 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings through resilient crosscourt exchanges and timely net rushes that neutralized flat groundstrokes. He now eyes sixth seed Nuno Borges, where maintaining that baseline grind amid the venue’s supportive roar could propel his rapid ascent further.
Miomir Kecmanovic advanced via tiebreaks, outlasting Kamil Majchrzak 7-6(4), 7-6(4) with precise passing shots and defensive underspin that extended rallies on the sun-warmed surface, earning a test against third seed Luciano Darderi. Damir Dzumhur also progressed, defeating Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 6-2 by varying serve-volley tactics to control tempo against power-hitting. These upsets infuse the bracket with unpredictability, highlighting how resilience and adaptation on hard courts can reshape paths to the title as the week builds toward decisive clashes.
