Stan Wawrinka missed a chance to notch a Masters 1000 victory at 40. The veteran received a wild card for the Monte Carlo Masters and faced Alejandro Tabilo in the first round. Stan fought well before falling 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two hours and 27 minutes.
Thus, Wawrinka missed an opportunity to embrace the second-round clash with another veteran, Novak Djokovic. The Swiss made an impressive start and clinched the opener in no time. He erased the deficit in the second set and challenged his opponent.
However, Tabilo delivered a late break to take the set and force a decider. Stan built a 3-1 lead before dropping four straight games to find himself 5-3 behind. The veteran pulled the break back in game nine and saved a match point on serve at 4-5 for more drama.
Tabilio Triumphs 💪🇨🇱
Tabilo rallies to beat Wawrinka 1-6 7-5 7-5 and will face Djokovic in R2#RolexMonteCarloMasters pic.twitter.com/gUMhfw41Qf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 7, 2025
Alejandro denied a break point in the 11th game and provided a break at 6-5 that carried him over the top. Wawrinka landed 39 winners and 49 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 31-36 ratio. The 2014 champion took four points more.
However, they stayed neck and neck in service winners, points from the baseline and at the net. Wawrinka had the upper hand in the quickest exchanges up to four strokes, and Tabilo reduced the gap in the mid-range ones.
Alejandro Tabilo & Stan Wawrinka, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Stan drew Alejandro’s mistake in the second game of the match for an early break. A left-hander sprayed a double fault in the fourth game, losing serve at love and falling further behind. The Swiss wrapped up an impressive first part of the duel with a forehand winner at 5-1.
Thus, the veteran moved 6-1 up after 20 minutes and gained a boost. Tabilo saved two break points in the third game of the second set and secured his first break in the next one with a running forehand down the line winner at the net.
A left-hander wasted game points in the next one and netted a forehand to drop serve and bring his rival back to the positive side. Wawrinka saved a break point in the eighth game with an ace and held for 4-4. Alejandro closed the ninth game after a deuce.
Stan Wawrinka, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
The Chilean stepped in on the return at 6-5 and seized a set point after the Swiss’s loose forehand, introducing a decider after an hour and 24 minutes. Stan saved a couple of break points in the second game and provided a break in the next one after Tabilo’s backhand error.
The veteran held with ease in the fourth game and moved 3-1 up and closer to the finish line. Alejandro pulled the break back in game six when his rival netted a backhand. Wawrinka squandered a game point in game eight and placed a forehand long to drop serve and fall 5-3 behind.
Alejandro Tabilo, Monte Carlo 2025© Stream screenshot
Stan kept his composure and broke back in game nine to extend his chances. The 40-year-old squandered game points in game ten and offered his rival a match point. The 2014 champion denied it with a forced error and held for 5-5 and more drama.
Tabilo denied a break point in game 11 with a fine attack and held after Wawrinka’s backhand mistake. Stan served to stay in the match at 5-6 and faced three match points when his rival passed him at the net.
The Chilean converted the second when a three-time Major winner placed a forehand wide, celebrating a win and arranging the clash with Novak Djokovic.
Tennis World USA