US Open: Stan Wawrinka playing at 'a great level'

Omnisports

September 2, 2016 3:51 AM

Two-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka is likely to prove a serious contender at the US Open.

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US Open third seed Stan Wawrinka has welcomed suggestions he can pose problems to Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at Flushing Meadows.

Wawrinka defeated Alessandro Giannessi 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 on Thursday to book a third-round clash with Dan Evans.

The Swiss, addressing the media after the match, agreed with claims he represents a serious obstacle to the top seeds.

"I am [a threat] right now," Wawrinka said. "I'm number three in the world with a great career so far.

"I'm happy with what I'm doing so far in my career. I'm happy with the way I'm playing so far in the tournament and let's see what can happen.

"I think in general it was a great level. I'm feeling well and playing good shots. [Louis] Armstrong [Stadium] I think is a little bit faster than what it used to be, a little bit faster than the other courts."

Of Giannessi, who held his own despite a lowly ranking of 243rd in the world, Wawrinka added: "I knew what to expect. He's a great player, he has some great shots and he's feeling the ball well. So it's a tough match like I expected. But I'm quite happy to have won in three sets.

"It's always better to win in three sets, that's for sure. But I was ready to go even longer in that court. It was not as hot as the others there but it was really humid."

Rain delays have been a feature of the US Open so far but Wawrinka was untroubled by a delayed start to his match.

"We are used to that," Wawrinka said.

"So we're used to it, every year, to have some rain ... I arrived at 3pm at the stadium. So it wasn't that bad at the end."

Wawrinka is seeking to respond to the disappointment of a second-round exit from Wimbledon at the hands of Juan Martin del Potro.

Omnisports

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