Indian Wells, California – Three-time Grand Slam champion stan wawrinka Made a successful comeback at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday by defeating qualifier Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 1-6, 6-1.
The 37-year-old Wawrinka, ranked as high as No. 3 and now No. 100 after a series of operations on his left foot and left knee, hit 10 aces and won 28 of 33 first-serve points. His previous match at a hard-court tournament in the California Desert was lost to Swiss Davis Cup teammate Roger Federer In the third round in 2019.
Wawrinka, Federer’s runner-up in 2017 at Indian Wells, will face the No. 26 seed miomir kekmanovic in the second round of the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
Two other owners of major titles who have dealt with injury issues in recent years, Andy Murray And Dominic ThiemThe first round of action was scheduled for 2 days later.
Danielle Collins2022 Australian Open runner-up loses second consecutive match to opponent ranked outside top 50, finishes 80th 6-4, 6-4 Dalma Gulfi, Galif had lost in qualifying, but moved into the main draw upon withdrawal. Collins gave up only nine winners while committing 41 unforced errors.
Varvara Grachevawho qualified for Indian Wells after reaching the finals in Austin, Texas last week, lost yasleen bonaventure 6-2, 6-2; Katerina Sinyakova Beat jule nemeyer 7-5, 6-4; And Jill Teachman was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over ashlyn kruger,
In other results, jack draper overwhelmed qualifiers leandro ridi 6–1, 6–1 to set up an all-British matchup against No. 24 Dan Evans; And Mackenzie McDonald Defeated Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 6-0.