The
Swiss became the highest seed in the Men's draw to be booted from Miami
by the world No. 32, Adrian Mannarino in two tie breaks 6-7(4) 6-7(5)
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| The Stanimal... |
On
a mild midday Sunday contest, Stanislas Wawrinka took to the Court
after turning 30 the day before. His task was to progress to the fourth
Round by taking down the Frenchman, Adrian Mannarino, who is the
tournament's 28th seed and hadn't won a top 10 player since turning pro
in 2005.
However, no one envisaged an upset on
the cards as Wawrinka served first to commence proceedings but 6 double
faults in as many as 2 games saw the Davis Cup Champion struggle to
prove his moniker as 'STAN THE MAN'. At the end of the first set, he'd
racked up 6 double faults and a little over 37% of his first serves
which was testament of his poor service game and faltering signature
backhand. Unlike Stan, Adrian who is playing arguably the best of his
career was more composed and pushed the Swiss to a tie breaker which he won comfortably took 7-4; 7-6 in the set.
The
2014 Australian Open Champion still didn't get into rhythm amidst an
improved game in the second set. But it was the Frenchman who was en
route his second straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 fourth round, who
withstood all pressure to push the second set AGAIN to a tie break
decider. Adrian cruised to a 6-2 lead in the tie break but it was
Wawrinka who showed glimpses of his class; albeit with the aid of
Adrian's nerves, by winning the next 3 points to close the gap 6-5.
Unfortunately for the Swiss, such a resurgence was a little late to
change the outcome as Mannarino produced an 'unreturnable' power serve
to see off Wawrinka 7-5; 7-6 7-6 at the end of the contest.
A finalist at the Heineken Open
in Auckland earlier in the season, Mannarino is on the brink of a
career-high Top 30 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings. He will now battle
the 21 year old Austrian, Dominic Thiem, for a quarter-final berth.
