By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 28, 2023
This is what they paid for. This is what they want! Taking a page from a playbook from a bygone era, Stan Wawrinka defeated Yoshihito Nishioka on Tuesday night in New York to become the oldest man to reach round two since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
The 2016 champion notched a 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory to set a second-round clash with Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Spain.
31 years after 40-year-old Connors thrilled the New York faithful with a run to the semifinals, 38-year-old Wawrinka will try to light up the New York night with the same positive energy.
“I never forgot why I start playing tennis and what I was dreaming when I was young, is to play US Open, to play those Grand Slams, big tournaments, ATP tournaments, to be there,” Wawrinka said. “I'm happy I can still play at that level.”
Wawrinka blasted 38 winners against 23 for Nishioka to improve to 45-14 lifetime at the US Open.
“I know where I am right now. I know I can beat some really good players,” the World No.49 said. “I can be really competitive. I'm moving well. Yes, today was a great match. Really high level. Really high intensity. I'm happy to get through in three sets. Most important for me is to keep going, to keep going in the right direction.
“Last few months have been almost better every week with more win, with more confidence, with what I'm doing. Hopefully I can keep pushing myself and get some big results before the end of the year.”