Federer's Understudy

So what if Gaston Gaudio beat him in the Swiss Open final 6-4, 6-4? Stanislas Wawrinka, the 20-year-old from Lausanne, Switzerland, is having a great year. He managed to earn enough points early this year to enter the main draws of two Grand Slam tournaments. At the French Open, he beat Nicolas Massu and James Blake before succumbing to eventual finalist Mariano Puerta. He then lost in the first round at Wimbledon to Fabrice Santoro, but followed it up with his best showing ever at the Swiss Open in Gstaad.

He had made the Gstaad final before, but it was for doubles. The past two years, he had lost in the first round of the singles event. I'm thinking that since Roger Federer chose not to play the event this year, the pressure of living under the Swiss and world #1's shadow was lifted from Wawrinka's shoulders and allowed him to open them a little and swing more freely.

It's not bad, for a late beginner. Wawrinka first started playing at the age of eight and didn't really consider turning pro--until he won the French Open boys' title in 2003. Now, after Gstaad, he's being touted as Federer's understudy. The pressure's on his shoulders again.

posted by Noelle De Guzman @ 12:07 PM