40-year-old Stan Wawrinka writes historical past in Bucharest

Stan Wawrinka scored his first ATP win of the season on the ATP 250 occasion in Bucharest. The veteran ousted Timofey Skatov 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 in three hours and 18 minutes for his first ATP success since October final 12 months.

The Swiss prevailed after a big battle and have become the third 40-year-old participant with a clay-court ATP win since 1980! Stan joined Jimmy Connors and Ivo Karlovic on the unique checklist and notched the twenty second season with not less than one ATP triumph.

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 1, 2025

They might have prevented a marathon as Wawrinka led 6-4, 4-1! Skatov erased the deficit and denied three match factors on serve within the twelfth sport earlier than prevailing within the tie break. Timofey led 3-0 within the decider and served for the win at 5-3.

Stan pulled the break again at love in sport 9 and dominated the tie break to emerge on the prime and enter the report books. The veteran claimed two factors greater than his rival. Wawrinka denied 11 of 15 break factors and seized 5 of 16 alternatives on the return.

Stan Wawrinka, Bucharest 2025© Stream screenshot

The Swiss attacked and fired 51 winners and 70 unforced errors. He solid a 27-16 lead in service winners, and Skatov erased the deficit from the baseline and on the web. Stan saved three break factors within the first sport of the match.

Nonetheless, Timofey landed a volley winner within the third sport to earn a break at love and transfer in entrance. The veteran attacked on the return within the sixth sport and brought on the rival’s mistake to tug the break again and lock the outcome at 3-3.

Timofey Skatov & Stan Wawrinka, Bucharest 2025© Stream screenshot

The Kazakh served to remain within the set at 4-5 and missed his probabilities to increase the battle. Wawrinka earned 4 set factors and seized the final after the rival’s free backhand, wrapping up the primary a part of the duel 6-4 in 51 minutes.

Stan broke within the second sport of the second set and solid a 4-1 benefit, transferring nearer to the end line. Nonetheless, they might nonetheless battle for practically two hours after that! Skatov pulled the break again within the seventh sport, and so they served effectively within the subsequent 4.

The Kazakh wanted one other high-quality maintain at 5-6 to stay in rivalry. Nonetheless, the Swiss created three match factors after two fortunate web cords in a single level. Timofey saved his composure and denied them, holding and introducing a tie break.

Stan erased a 5-3 deficit and moved two factors away from the end line. Nonetheless, he missed a forehand at 5-5 and sprayed a backhand error after an prolonged rally, permitting his rival to take the set 7-6 and compelled a decider after two hours and 14 minutes.

Timofey gained a lift and seized the fifth break probability within the second sport of the ultimate set. He held at love for 3-0 earlier than Wawrinka pulled the break again with a booming forehand down the road winner in sport 5, returning to the constructive facet.

Skatov grabbed a break at love in sport eight after the rival’s free forehand, transferring 5-3 up and serving for the win. Stan stayed centered and painted a forehand winner for a break at love and extra drama. The set went right into a tie break, and the extra skilled participant had the sting.

Wawrinka claimed all 4 factors on serve and supplied three mini-breaks. He landed a backhand winner for 5-1 and generated 5 match factors after drawing the rival’s mistake. The 40-year-old cracked a backhand down the road winner on the primary match level, sealing the deal and writing historical past.