"We are lucky to still have some tournaments going" - Wawrinka expresses appreciation following first round win at Paris Masters

Stan Wawrinka improved to 5-0 in career meetings against Daniel Evans on Tuesday at the Paris Masters, as he ousted the Brit to secure his spot in the second round.

The Swiss No.2 required just an hour and 33 minutes to record a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Evans, hitting 35 winners during their first round encounter.

“I’m really happy with my level today, I was serving and moving well,” said Wawrinka. The 12th seed reached the Paris semifinals in 2015, where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

"I was happy to be back here in Paris, even without crowd it's always a great tournament," added the 35-year old. "We are lucky to still have some tournaments going, so I'm trying to enjoy them as much as possible."

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Having just defeated Evans last month at the St. Petersburg Open, Wawrinka was full of praise for his opponent.

"I think he's always been a tough opponent," admitted the former World No.3. "If we look at the scores, I saved match points in St. Petersburg, got lucky a little bit, saved match point at the US Open, three sets in Indian Wells. Tough sets today. He's tough player... It's not easy to get through him."

Wawrinka will face Tommy Paul in the second round, as the American pulled off a 3-6 6-3 6-3 comeback win over 2012 semifinalist Gilles Simon.

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