Stan Wawrinka was knocked out in the first round at Rotterdam on Tuesday after losing in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 to Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
The three-time Grand Slam winner, playing in his first match since going down in a five-set epic to Marton Fucsovics at the Australian Open, was beaten by world number 21 Khachanov in fairly comfortable fashion.
Big-hitter Khachanov eased through the match without dropping a service game to eighth seed Wawrinka. The 24-year-old will face British qualifier Cameron Norrie in the last 16.
Khachanov’s countryman and fourth seed Andrey Rublev strolled into the next round thanks to a 7-6 (8/1), 6-3 win over American qualifier Marcos Giron.
The in-form Russian will face former world number one Andy Murray in the second round.
“Andy is a true legend and I have a really good connection with him,” said Rublev. “I really like him as a person and as a player. He destroyed me once in the past (6-3, 6-0, 6-2 in 2017 Australian Open second round). I’m sure we’ll have great, long rallies and it will be a fight.”
Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas eased into round two with a 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 victory over Belarusian Egor Gerasimov.
The Greek, who beat Rafael Nadal en route to the Australian Open semi-finals last month, dropped his serve once in each set but did enough to set up a last-16 tie with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who saw off Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
“We’ve played a lot in the past. He’s a great opponent, he’s been giving me a hard time. It’s a challenge going into that match,” Tsitsipas said.
Results
First round
Borna Coric (CRO) bt Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4)
Alex De Minaur (AUS) bt John Millman (AUS) 6-1, 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA) 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4)
Andrey Rublev (RUS x4) bt Marcos Giron (USA) 7-6 (7/1), 6-3
Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Stan Wawrinka (SUI x8) 6-4, 7-5
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (8/6)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x2) bt Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!