Stan Wawrinka’s bid for a second French Open crown remains right on track after recording a comprehensive 6-4, 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Alexandr Dolgopolov in the second round on Thursday. It was a terrific performance by the world no. 3 who needed just two hours and 36 minutes to record the straight-sets victory. With the win, Wawrinka moved into the third round in Paris for the 10th time in his career.
Wawrinka, the 2015 French Open champion, blasted 41 winners and won 74 percent of his first serve points against Dolgopolov. He also recorded 16 aces in this second-round encounter. Next up for the Swiss star is a round-of-32 clash with Fabio Fognini. The 32-year-old will fancy his chances against the Italian as he has won four of his five previous matches against Fognini. One of those four victories came at Roland Garros. Wawrinka defeated Fognini in the third round of the 2010 French Open, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
For Wawrinka to extend his dominance against Fognini, he needs to continue his excellent play on the receiving end. He converted four of his nine break point chances against Dolgopolov in the second round. Wawrinka has converted 40 percent (8-of-20) of his break point opportunities in this tournament thus far.
Fabio Fognini booked a spot in the third round of the 2017 French Open with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win over Andrea Seppi on Thursday. It was a brilliant showing by Fognini who needed just two hours and 20 minutes to outlast his Italian compatriot. With the victory, Fognini is through to the third round of the French Open for the sixth time in his career. Fognini will face his toughest test, though, in the round of 32, as he will meet the red-hot Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss star is in the midst of a six-match winning streak on clay.
For Fognini to record a major shock in the third round, the 30-year-old needs to improve on his first serve percentage. Fognini converted just 56 percent of his first serves against Seppi. That simply won’t do against a power hitter like Wawrinka who’s averaging 39.5 winners in this tournament thus far. Apart from fixing his serve, Fognini will also need to find ways to limit his miscues in the third round. He committed a whopping 40 unforced errors in the win against Seppi.
