Stan Wawrinka shone against Ilya Ivashka in the first round of the Italian Open on Wednesday. During the match, which was delayed by 90 minutes due to rain, Wawrinka hit 26 winners and converted 3 out of 6 break points to set up a meeting with Grigor Dimitrov in the second round.
He stated, "I was ready for this match. I am playing well. It was a good first match and I am very happy to reach the next round. I've been working hard to get to this level. This year I am playing much better, but I need to win more matches."
He added, "That's what I miss a bit, the confidence to win more matches. But overall, the level is great."
Also advancing to the second round was Thomas Martin Etcheverry, who defeated Luca Van Assche 7-6, 6-3 to set up a match against Novak Djokovic.
Later today, former world number one Andy Murray will face Italian Fabio Fognini as he prepares for the French Open, which begins later this month.
In the women's singles competition, American Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, defeated Nadia Podoroska 6-4, 6-1 to start her campaign in Rome on a positive note. She will face Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam winner, in the next round.
