In the late match on Center Court, at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Stan Wawrinka defeated Benoit Paire 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the third round, where he will face Juan Monaco who defeated Kevin Anderson earlier in the day.
One break enough as Paire seals first set
Proceedings got underway with two holds of serve. Both players were hitting the ball cleanly and with precise and the next three game were held. In the sixth game, Wawrinka had two chances to break, but Paire saved them both and held for 3-3. The two players weren't giving one another any room for error and the next four service games saw no breakthrough in the scoreline and the set moved to 5-5.
In the upcoming service game, Paire managed to get to love on the Wawrinka serve, though he saved the point his French opponent hit an overhead smash to get the break and a chance at serving it out for the first set. The 27-year-old on his second set point clinched the opening set 5-7.
Wawrinka fights back to take the second set
Having held his opening service game to love, Wawrinka then reached break point, which was saved by his French opponent. The Swiss number two would break on his third chance with an incredible angled pass shot to go 2-0 up. In the following game, Paire came straight back with a break of his own, though Wawrinka saved the point he would break straight back at advantage hitting an exquisite drop shot.
In the longest game of the set, Wawrinka would have two break points saved by Paire, but he would regain the lead on his third chance. The 31-year-old Swiss eventually held and went 4-1 up in the set. In the next game, Paire would have to dig in to save two more break points as he held. Two games later and having served it out to love, Wawrinka would then reach set point, which he took at the first time of asking for 6-2.
Wawrinka runs away with match, seals victory
Just like in the previous two sets, Wawrinka started the set by holding. The following game was one of the longest of the match and the world number 21 fought to save two break points, one at 30-40 and another at advantage as he held for 1-1. With the set in the fourth game, the world number four earned himself a break point and Paire double-faulted handing the break to his Swiss opposition.
Wawrinka then held to love to go 4-1 up. The next game saw Paire's momentum fade away and despite saving two break points, he couldn't save a third and Wawrinka broke to serve it out for the match. The Swiss held to love and booked his spot in the third round at the first time of asking.
Match by the numbers
The Swiss served four aces and four double-faults while Paire hit six aces and three double-faults. Wawrinka was successful on his first serve points as he won 80 percent, his level dropped but was still impressive winning 59 percent points no his second serve. The Frenchman won 64 percent points on the first serve and his levels dropped on the second serve only winning 44 percent.
Wawrinka saved half of his break points and converted only 29 percent. Paire saved an impressive 71 percent break points (12 from 17) and converted only half his breaks. Wawrinka struggled on return points having won only 36 percent on his first, but he improved on his second though he only won 56 percent. He won a total 56 percent points.