Three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka‘s Brisbane International debut is off to an impressive start, with the Swiss seeing off dangerous Serb Viktor Troicki in two tight sets on Wednesday night.
The No.2 seed broke when Troicki was serving for the opening set and seized on the momentum shift, going on to claim the tiebreak and the match 7-6(5) 6-4.
It was the Swiss star’s first singles hit-out of 2017 and a change in preparation, having played in Chennai for the past nine years.
“For sure it’s a bit different conditions compared to India, but I don’t think it will change much for the preparation for Australia,” Wawrinka said.
“I’m just enjoying a new tournament that I never played that I’m playing for the first time. New facility, new court, new fans, new city, and that’s what make the difference.
“Especially at 31 years old, when you’ve been on the tour for so long, to play some new tournaments, it makes you a little bit fresher mentally, also.
“It’s the beginning of the year, so you’re looking a little bit for your game, looking a little bit for your confidence. Winning a match like that for me, it’s good.”
Wawrinka will meet unseeded Kyle Edmund for a place in the semifinals. The Brit advanced when sixth-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille retired hurt with a foot injury, with Edmund leading 6-3 3-1.
The world No.14 was leading 1-0 during the medical break when he had the toes and front of his right foot heavily strapped, but he the lost the next three games before retiring.
Wawrinka scored a convincing straight-sets result against Edmund the only prior time they played, in Shanghai last year.
“For sure, I want to win more matches here. That’s my goal, and that will be good if I can make it,” Wawrinka said.
“I think I’m doing the right things on the practice courts. I’m working hard enough to expect some good results here.”