Defending champion Wawrinka rallies to beat lucky loser Roger-Vasselin
CHENNAI, Jan. 4, 2012 - Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka rallied from a set down to beat French lucky loser Edouard Roger-Vasselin 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to move into the quarterfinals of the 2012 Aircel Chennai Open on Wednesday.
"It is never easy playing the first match of the season," said third seed and world number 17 Wawrinka, who played out of his skin to begin the new season on a winning note and keep his title hopes alive.
"There is always pressure while playing the first few matches of the season. I am happy that I won, happy that I found all the solutions. I played better as the match progressed," he added.
Beijing Olympics doubles gold medallist Wawrinka lost the opening set rather tamely, but clawed his way back to win the second set against his 106-ranked opponent, who replaced injured Indian Somdev Devvarman in the main draw.
Roger-Vasselin went up a break in the final set but Wawrinka broke back in the 10th and lifted his game when it mattered the most to clinch the thriller in two hours and 25 minutes.
"It was a great match, unfortunately the end was not what I expected," said Roger-Vasselin.
In the quarter-finals, Wawrinka will meet Japanese qualifier Go Soeda who upset fifth seed Ivan Dodig from Croatia 7-6(6), 6-3.
