Wawrinka ousted in Basel

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:06

The unseeded Becker fought off a pair of match points in the decisive third set en route to a 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) victory over Wawrinka in their first-round match.

It was a day of blown opportunities for the fifth-seeded Swiss. Wawrinka also served for the match in the second set, but was unable to put away Becker, who saved four out of nine break points.

Becker will meet the winner of the match between Germany’s Andreas Beck and France’s Nicolas Devilder.

Wawrinka, who is ranked 12th in the world, failed to save any of his four break chances, dimming his chances to earn a spot in next month’s Masters Cup.

The top eight players in the ATP points standing advance to the Masters Cup, and Wawrinka entered this event perched at number 11.

Wawrinka’s countryman, Roger Federer hopes a return to home soil will help what has been a disappointing year.

Federer seeks his third consecutive singles title here when he opens play against American Bobby Reynolds on Tuesday.

The Swiss superstar, who is seeking his fourth championship of the year, is coming off a 3-6 6-3 7-5 loss to Britain’s Andy Murray in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.

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