{"id":15231,"date":"2019-05-30T05:48:13","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T09:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=15231"},"modified":"2019-05-30T05:48:13","modified_gmt":"2019-05-30T09:48:13","slug":"stan-wawrinkas-chances-at-roland-garros-after-round-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2019\/05\/30\/stan-wawrinkas-chances-at-roland-garros-after-round-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Stan Wawrinka\u2019s Chances at Roland Garros After Round Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re well into the 2019 Roland Garros<\/a> tournament. Despite a few road bumps, this year\u2019s tournament has largely resembled French Opens of years past. The tops seeds have rolled through the early rounds and Rafael Nadal <\/span>appears to be the strong favorite<\/span><\/a> once again. Rinse, repeat.\u00a0<\/span>However, there is one player who is flying under the radar but should have everyone\u2019s attention: Stan Wawrinka. <\/span><\/p>\n

Since his leg injury (and subsequent surgery) in 2017<\/a>, Wawrinka has had a long road back to prominence in the men\u2019s game. Despite this, the former champion\u2019s early-round play suggests that he\u2019s a potential threat<\/a> at this year\u2019s tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

First Two Rounds of Roland Garros<\/span><\/h2>\n

Despite needing four sets to overcome Jozef Koval\u00edk of Slovakia in Round 1, Stan Wawrinka came out strong in Round 2. The Swiss defeated\u00a0Cristian Gar\u00edn of Chile in dominating fashion, winning 6-1 6-4 6-0. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gar\u00edn has had a great season so far, winning his first two ATP titles in Houston and Bavaria. He is <\/span>quickly rising in the men\u2019s game<\/span><\/a> and was a dark horse pick to go far at this year\u2019s Roland Garros.<\/span><\/p>\n

To lose only five games to a rising young player is no small feat for Stan Wawrinka. He has shown flashes of his strong brand of tennis which helped him win the 2015 Roland Garros title.<\/span><\/p>\n

Road Back From Injury<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before discussing Stan Wawrinka\u2019s chances at Roland Garros, it\u2019s best to understand what he\u2019s had to overcome. Wawrinka reached new career heights in 2016. He achieved a career high ranking of No. 3 and won his third Grand Slam title at the US Open<\/a>. Wawrinka was a staple at the top of the men\u2019s game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, during a Round 1 loss at Wimbledon<\/a> in 2017, Wawrinka suffered a knee injury which would require surgery. He missed the rest of the 2017 season and had an up-and-down 2018 season. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stan Wawrinka’s Chances in Rounds 3 and 4<\/span><\/h2>\n

Stan Wawrinka has undeniably produced his best tennis at Grand Slams. His three Major titles have come over all-time greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Ultimately, Wawrinka has been a threat at almost every Grand Slam over the past five years.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get to the Final 16 at this year\u2019s Roland Garros, Wawrinka may have to overcome two talented players who share his one-handed backhand. He is set to square off against Grigor Dimitrov in Round 3. Dimitrov is coming off of two dramatic five-set victories over Janko Tipsarevi\u0107 and Marin \u010cili\u0107. I believe Wawrinka has a good chance of coming out on top in this contest.<\/span><\/p>\n

After that, Wawrinka\u2019s chances at Roland Garros get trickier to predict, as Stefanos Tsitsipas may be waiting in Round 4. The young Greek has had a spectacular 2019 season and leads the ATP in match wins. He presents a <\/span>tremendous challenge on any surface<\/span><\/a>. Wawrinka may have the edge in experience, but Tsitsipas is riding a tidal wave of momentum. I predict a close four or five-set match.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stan Wawrinka has a unique brand of powerful tennis which has led him to the top of the men\u2019s game. While injury has hindered him the past few seasons, his early-round play at Roland Garros has raised a few eyebrows. It will be interesting to see how he capitalizes on this momentum in Round 3 and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>