Hopeful Stan Wawrinka needs combination of luck and skill in Acapulco

Swiss tennis star Stan Wawrinka is off to a fine start at the 2019 Mexican Open. Wawrinka looks to best his performance last tournament.

Stan Wawrinka is coming off of a runner-up finish at the ATP Rotterdam Open last tournament. There, it was French tennis veteran Gael Monfils who walked away with the title, defeating Wawrinka 6–3, 1–6, 6–2 in the finals. Now, Wawrinka looks to carry that momentum that got him so close to a title and take it one step further at the Mexican Open.

So far in Acapulco, Stan the Man is right on track. He knocks out American tennis player Ryan Harrison to reach the round of 16. Wawrinka defeats Harrison in straight sets, winning 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Wawrinka is a former world number three on the ATP Tour. He is one of the best players in men’s singles in the last decade. Since bouncing back from injury, the Swiss star has finally reemerged as a top contender on the tour again.

Up next for Wawrinka at the Mexican Open is another American in Steve Johnson. Wawrinka will play something of an underdog against Johnson who is the tournament’s seventh seed this year. Don’t let the seeding fool you though. Wawrinka ought to be considered a slight favorite against the American.

We say slight because it isn’t a guarantee for the three-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world number three. Take a look at their career singles head to head. Wawrinka has scoreboard with a 2-1 record over Johnson. The American is, however, coming off of a quarterfinals run at the Delray Beach Open and managed a straight set victory over local favorite Gerardo López Villaseñor during his Acapulco opener.

Johnson will give Wawrinka a solid challenge next at the 2019 Mexican Open. This is a must-watch match in Acapulco. The incredible run of tennis that Wawrinka displayed in Rotterdam makes him one of the hottest players on the ATP Tour at the moment. Johnson is no-one to discount though and the world number 36 is looking for any and all momentum he too can gather.

Stay tuned to see how Stan Wawrinka fares throughout the rest of his time at the 2019 Mexican Open. He takes on Steven Johnson on Wednesday at the ATP Tour 500 event.