Stan Wawrinka Forced to end His 2018 Season
The Swiss number two, Stan Wawrinka, has announced the end to his 2018 campaign. After a practice session with his compatriot and friend Roger Federer, a day before the main draw began, Wawrinka realized, that his back was not all right. The practice session created stress in his back, that has forced him to withdraw from the tournament.
“It was a challenging year, both physically and mentally. But I’m motivated for the new season,” said Stan Wawrinka. “I turned my back, and retiring was the only decision I could make,” he continued. “This (2018) is a transition year, I am already thinking of 2019.”
At the Erste Bank Open 500, Dominic Thiem, made a winning start as he got past Ruben Bemelmans in straight sets (7-5, 7-6(5)). He will face the American Sam Querrey, who beat the 2011 champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three tight sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3). Tsonga is still to hit his best of forms, as he still finding his footsteps after returning from an injury hiatus. Lucas Pouille also moved onto the next round, as he overcame a tough and experienced customer in the form of the German, Philipp Kohlschreiber in three sets (6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4). Kei Nishikori continued his attempts to reach the Nitto ATP Finals by winning his opening match at the Erste Bank Open 500 earlier on Tuesday. The fifth-seeded Japanese super-star knocked out the American young gun Frances Tiafoe, a qualifier for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan which takes place in the next month, in three competitive sets (7-6(3), 5-7, 6-2) in over two hours for a place in the second round.
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