Stan Wawrinka Upsets Top Seed Andrey Rublev to Reach 2024 Stockholm Semifinals
Stan Wawrinka, three-time Grand Slam champion, 39, defeated first seed Andrey Rublev in an incredible show of resiliency to advance to the 2024 Stockholm Open quarterfinals.
Wawrinka, who is presently rated 217th in the world, achieved a noteworthy feat in this match by defeating the seventh-ranked Russian and winning 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5).
On Friday, the 39-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock as he defeated Andrey Rublev, the top seed, to advance to the Stockholm semi-finals. The 7th-ranked Russian Rublev was defeated 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) by Wawrinka, who is presently rated 217th in the world, to record his first victory over a top-10 player of the year. The 2021 Stockholm winner Tommy Paul, ranked fourth in the US, will take against the Swiss player next.
Paul defeated Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6 (9/7), 6-2. After Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic, Wawrinka is the third-oldest semi-finalist in the history of the current ATP Tour. “I cannot change my age, but most important for me is that when I enter the court, I always try to fight,” Wawrinka said.
“I work to get better and take pleasure in what I do. Playing matches like these, where so many people are encouraging me on the court, is what keeps me going, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play one more match tomorrow.”
For the first time in four attempts, the former world number three reached the semifinal in the Swedish capital after launching 14 aces and converting his first match point.
After losing the second set 2-0, Wawrinka commented, “The key was to stay focused and positive with myself.” He is vying for his first ATP championship since Geneva in 2017 and his 17th overall.
2014 saw Wawrinka win the Australian Open; 2015 saw him win the French Open; and 2016 saw him win the US Open.
Rublev, a 26-year-old Russian who is ranked ninth with four players, including Paul, still competing this week, now has less chance of making it to the eight-player ATP Finals for a sixth straight year.
