Stan Wawrinka wins Monte-Carlo Masters opener over Griekspoor

Stan Wawrinka didn't start well in the Monte-Carlo Masters but he got it done 5-7 6-3 6-4 against a tricky player in Tallon Griekspoor who actually won their only meeting so far a few years ago.

Griekspoor is a fine clay player but he's been playing on an injured ankle that will require surgery making his level not as good as it usually would have been. It's been a good match from him though as he took the first set by holding onto his serve and waiting for a chance. Wawrinka gifted him a bad serving game towards the end of the set.

The second set saw equally solid play from both players but this time around Griekspoor rushed a bit too much. Wawrinka got the break he needed and finished it off 6-3 despite facing break points on his own serve as well. The final set was quite similar as Wawrinka once again got an early break but he allowed his opponent to break back later.

In the very next game though, Wawrinka applied pressure once more and Griekspoor caved giving the Swiss player the break once more. In the final game of the match, Wawrinka faced break points once again but he was able to hold his serve once more to finish off the match 6-4. A pretty strong performance from the Swiss who had 34 winners but also 27 unforced errors.

He will need to clean that up in the second round if he hopes to keep progressing through the draw.