Stan Wawrinka Survives In Dubai; Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych On Court Wednesday

Stan Wawrinka found himself serving down 0-30, 4-5 in the third set but the 2-time Grand Slam champion didn’t lose another game to beat a pesky Sergiy Stakhovsky 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 in the opening round in Dubai.

“It’s good for my confidence but it was a tough first match,” said Wawrinka. “I was hesitating, always being behind, staying aggressive. And it’s tough to play especially against Stakhovsky, who doesn’t give you too much rhythm.

“But it’s a great win for me. Not playing well, still winning, still fighting, still finding a way. I was playing a little bit better at the end, trying to be the aggressive player on the court. It’s good to have a chance to play better tomorrow.”

Tomas Berdych also advanced defeated Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-4 and Nick Kyrgios followed up his maiden title in Marseille by upending the in-form Martin Klizan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

On a big Wednesday schedule, 4-time champion and top seed Novak Djokovic returns to face Turkey’sTunisia’s Malek Jaziri. Berdych will face Thomas Fabbiano and Wawrinka meets qualifier Franco Skugor.

WEDNESDAY DUBAI SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 2:00 pm
[4] R. Bautista Agut (ESP) vs H. Chung (KOR)
Not Before 4:00 pm
[Q] T. Fabbiano (ITA) vs [3] T. Berdych (CZE)
Not Before 7:00 pm
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [WC] M. Jaziri (TUN)
[Q] F. Skugor (CRO) vs [2] S. Wawrinka (SUI)

COURT 1 start 2:00 pm
V. Pospisil (CAN) vs M. Baghdatis (CYP)
[8] P. Kohlschreiber (GER) vs B. Coric (CRO)
Not Before 5:00 pm
N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs M. Kukushkin (KAZ)
[1] J. Rojer (NED) / H. Tecau (ROU) vs F. Lopez (ESP) / M. Lopez (ESP)