Reuters
Paris, May 23: Defending champion Stan Wawrinka diced with danger but managed to avoid an ignominious first-round exit at the French Open here Monday, scrambling past Czech Lukas Rosol in five sets in a tough encounter.
Twice the Swiss third seed trailed by a set on a cold and damp Philippe Chatrier Court but he dug himself out of trouble to win 4-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. For a while, with 59th ranked Rosol playing inspired tennis, Wawrinka looked in grave danger of becoming the first reigning men’s singles champion at Roland Garros since tennis turned professional in 1968 to lose in the first round. But he was fortunate enough to survive the scare.
The last time a defending champion lost his opening match was Australian Lew Hoad in 1957.
Wawrinka needed to save two break points early in the fourth set as Rosol eyed a shock on the similar scale to his victory over Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2012. From then on he managed to regain some control and a searing backhand set up an early and decisive break in the fifth set.
Rosol saved one match point at 3-5 and another when Wawrinka missed an easy forehand but the relieved Swiss tucked away a volley to progress to the second round.
Wawrinka expressed satisfaction over his victory. “It was a pretty tough match. It was a very good experience for me, which will help me in future.”
