Wawrinka wowed in shock Miami exit

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) 

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.