NEW YORK: Stan Wawrinka survived searing heat and a spirited Ugo Humbert to reach the third round of the US Open as fellow former champion Andy Murray’s return ended in the second round.
Wawrinka, unable to defend his 2016 Flushing Meadows title after undergoing two knee surgeries last year, said yesterday that he wasn’t surprised at the challenge produced by 139th-ranked Humbert, a left-hander who is playing his first tour-level event this week after a dominant summer on the developmental Challenger circuit. “I knew it would be a difficult match,” said Wawrinka, who was pleased to find himself feeling fit after prevailing 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-3 7-5 in three hours and 21 minutes. “My level is there. I’m playing really good tennis,” he said.
“I’m 33 years old, first time after big surgery that I’m pushing myself that much, but I think I did enough hard work to know and have confidence in my fitness.
“I think there is a good chance that I’m playing better the next round,” added Wawrinka who faces Canadian Milos Raonic for a place in the last 16. Meanwhile Murray, the 2012 US Open winner, who was playing his first Grand Slam since Wimbledon of last year, is still fighting to find full fitness after hip surgery in January. The Scot’s limp was noticeable at times as he fell 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-4 to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco. (AFP)
