Stan Wawrinka into last 16 after hard-fought win over Lorenzi

ByReuters

Updated 31/08/2019 at 10:19 GMT

Former champion Stan Wawrinka fought off a spirited challenge from Italian Paolo Lorenzi to secure a 6-4 7-6(9) 7-6(4) victory on Friday and advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates victory following his Men's Singles third round match against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy on day five of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2019 in Queens borough of New Yo

Image credit: Getty Images

Wawrinka did well to save 11 of the 13 break points he faced during the nearly three-hour encounter as he booked his spot in the U.S. Open round of 16 for the first time since he won the tournament in 2016.

In the final set Wawrinka broke Lorenzo and had a chance to serve for the match but the Italian responded with a break of his own and then held for a 6-5 lead only for the Swiss to hold to love in the next game before taking over in the tiebreak.

ATP Monte Carlo