Stan Wawrinka returns with a rusty win at Prague Challenger

Wawrinka survived No. 178 Roman Safiullin 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. "I know it will take a while," said the Swiss.



Stan Wawrinka returns with a rusty win at Prague Challenger

Stanislas Wawrinka is just looking for a little court time this week as he return to play at the Prague challenger.

The three-time Grand Slam champion is the only Top 50 player in the event and scored a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 win against an opponent No. 178 in the rankings.

"It went as expected, for six months not playing," he said.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, but the most important thing is to have won. I am of course still far from the level that I want to reach. That’s what I’m here for, to play as many games as possible and to work hard."

ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 27: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland returns the ball during the singles match between Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria as part of the ATP Mexican Open 2020 Day 4 on February 27, 2020 in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
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The 35-year-old has been slowly coming back from double knee surgery in 2017, which also kept him on and off the tour in 2018, and now finds himself working to get his form back again. 

"I know it will take a while to get back on top, even more so with so many months of no competition," he said.

Wawrinka will face  No.217 Oscar Otte in the second round.