Former champion Stan Wawrinka let a third-set lead slip as the three-time Grand Slam winner blew a promising match start to lose 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 on Monday to Alejandro Tabilo in the Monte Carlo Masters opening round.
Wawrinka, who turned 40 less than a fortnight ago. won the title in the principality in 2014 with an upset of Roger Federer in the final.
But after ripping through the opening set against Canadian-born Chilean Tabilo in just 20 minutes with four unforced errors, problems began to creep into the Swiss veteran’s game as he struggled to compete.
Victory in two and a half hours was only the third of the season for the 32nd-ranked Tabilo, who moved into a second-round contest with two-time tournament winner Novak Djokovic.
Wawrinka led 3-1 in the deciding set against his Latin opponent but lost serve three more times in the tight decider while saving match points in the 10th and 12th games.
Wawrinka was competing here for the 15th time and has not beaten a top-50 player since last October.
The Swiss began the season with four consecutive first-round losses.
“It was a frustrating loss today, but the level is there,” Wawrinka said. “I enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a great fight on the court>
The Swiss said that he will carry on with his career, continuing to work hard.
“For the time being, everything holds up. The preparation we are doing tennistically and physically is allowing me to be the best I can possibly.
“Some days are more difficult than others, but overall, I have no problems in the morning.”
But he added: “Frustration increases with years because you know you are getting close to the end and you will have less opportunities of going further in the tournaments if you lose.
“(This loss was one point here, one point there. Maybe feeling a bit too relaxed at certain important moments.
“I should have been more aggressive; I made mistakes at the bad moments sometimes, and that made the difference.”
Main photo:- Alejandro Tabilo defeating Stan Wawrinka today – by ATPTour.com
