Wawrinka sets up Djokovic clash in Rome after win over Djere

Stan Wawrinka outlasted Laslo Djere in Rome 7-6(8) 3-6 6-4 to set up a clash with another Serbian, Novak Djokovic.

It was a very good match from Stan Wawrinka who is finally looking like a solid tennis player after not playing for over 15 months. The Swiss man found something in Rome as he is through to the 3rd round of the event where he will meet Novak Djokovic Some of the biggest wins of his career were against Djokovic and he will cherish the chance to play him again.

It took a lot of energy from Wawrinka to get there. He played a very solid but tired Djere who essentially had the win in this match but failed to close it out. The first set was pretty strong by both. We only saw one break point and it was for Wawrinka. Djere opened the tiebreak with a 3-0 lead but allowed Wawrinka to battle back. The Swiss man sealed it with 10-8 in the end.

The 2nd set was played better by Wawrinka but he never quite got the breakthrough he needed. Djere saved 5 break points total to extend the match and patiently got a bad game from Wawrinka towards the end of the set. He took it 6-3. He opened the final one with an early break as well but serving woes cost him the lead later on.

At 5-4, Wawrinka applied heavy pressure on Djere and he ultimately crumbled. The Serbian was playing his 4th match in 5 days and he was visibly tired throughout the match.