ATP Montpellier: Stan Wawrinka falls to Arthur Cazaux

Arthur Cazaux and Stan Wawrinka battled within the first spherical in Montpellier. The primary indoor occasion of the season noticed a conflict between the rivals ranked outdoors the top-100. Cazaux beat the veteran 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 28 minutes for a spot within the second spherical.

Wawrinka, who turns 40 in two months, has misplaced 4 consecutive matches on the Tour. The Swiss fought nicely in opposition to Lorenzo Sonego on the Australian Open earlier than dropping in 4 units. He stood no likelihood in opposition to the house participant in Montpellier.

Cazaux took 12 factors greater than Wawrinka. The youthful participant gave away 16 factors in 9 service video games, defending two break factors and mounting the strain on the opposite aspect.

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 27, 2025

Stan couldn’t endure it and prolong his possibilities. The 39-year-old confronted eight break factors and suffered three breaks to delay his dropping streak. Wawrinka hit extra service winners however struggled from the baseline. He sprayed 32 unforced errors and plagued his possibilities for a greater outcome.

Arthur lined the web properly within the first sport of the match and created a break likelihood with a volley winner. The house participant seized it after the rival’s forehand mistake, incomes an early break and holding within the subsequent one for a 2-0 lead.

Stan Wawrinka, Montpellier 2025© Stream screenshot

Wawrinka confronted two extra break factors within the fifth sport. The three-time Main winner saved them and remained inside one break deficit after a service winner. The Swiss denied one other break level within the seventh sport with a robust serve.

Cazaux served for the opener at 5-4. Stan saved a set level with a cracking forehand down the road winner and created two set factors. The veteran squandered them with errors and allowed his rival to wrap up the opener with a smash winner for 6-4 in 52 minutes.

Arthur served nicely within the second set and stored the strain on his opponent. The youthful participant sprayed a break level within the third sport when his backhand landed lengthy. Cazaux made one other push on the return in sport 5.

He transformed the second break level after a very good return and Wawrinka’s backhand error, transferring a set and a break in entrance and nearer to the end line. The Frenchman served nicely in video games six and eight, firing a service winner at 4-3 and remaining in entrance.

Arthur created a match level on the return at 5-3 and welcomed Stan’s wayward forehand for an additional break and a spot within the second spherical.