French Open winner Stan Wawrinka insisted yesterday that his somewhat modest start to the clay season would not hamper his French Open title defence as the Swiss prepared for his first match at the Rome Masters.
The fourth seed comes to the Foro Italico with a Monte Carlo quarter-final against Rafael Nadal before losing his opening match in Madrid to Australian Nick Kyrgios.
The 30-year-old learned the name of his opening Rome opponent as good friend Benoit Paire of France advanced when Australia’s Bernard Tomic quit their first-round match injured after only three games.
Wawrinka, a 2008 Rome finalist against Novak Djokovic, said that he can handle pressure with his Roland Garros defence approaching in a fortnight.
“For sure there is extra attention after doing what I did last year winning there. Way more people and things to do and to talk about French Open,” Wawrinka said.
“There is not more pressure and not less pressure. Every year I go to French Open, I put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to play well there. I love this tournament.
“This year is going to be the same of the pressure-wise. Going to be really hard like every year, but that’s it.”
“It’s not about not having matches for Paris, for me it’s more about playing well every week I play. That’s the most important thing.
“As long as I’m practising well and doing the right thing, I know it’s going to come.”
Wawrinka reached the Rome semis a year ago, losing to compatriot Roger Federer. The senior Swiss drew more than 6,000 Roman fans to a Sunday practise session as the 17-time grand slam winner plays only his second event and fourth clay match after withdrawing from Madrid with back pain.
Wawrinka is not dwelling on his Madrid mis-step prior with his Italian start fast approaching.
“Losing first round in Madrid doesn’t give me a lot of matches and a lot of points,” he said.
“But I’m here, I’ve been practising well, my level is good. Hopefully I can start well and do something big. Last years I start little by little to play better and better in Rome, Geneva, and then in Paris.”
In Sunday opening play, 16th seed Kevin Anderson, who underwent shoulder surgery, won his first match since January, beating Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to reach the second round.
Two Americans lost with Argentine Juan Monaco dispatching Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4 while Californians Sam Querrey went down 6-4, 6-4 to Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Viktor Troicki defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-1.