Stan Wawrinka stood two points away from writing more history at the ATP 250 event in Bucharest. The 40-year-old faced Pedro Martinez in the second roundand fell 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours and 39 minutes.
Wawrinka reached a deuce on the return while leading 6-4 5-4. However the Spaniard held and grabbed a late break before dominating the decider. Thus, Stan missed a chance to become the first 40-year-old player in the clay-court ATP quarter-final since Ken Rosewall in 1977!
The veteran prevailed in the first round after a marathon for his first ATP win of the season. He made a solid start against Martinez but failed to bring the win home and advance into the last eight. Pedro took 15 points more than Stan.
The Spaniard served at 80% and denied seven of 11 break points. He stole 46% of the return points and turned them into six breaks from ten opportunities. They both hit 26 winners. Wawrinka plagued his chances after spraying 49 mistakes, missing equally from both wings.
They stayed neck and neck in service winners and from the baseline, while Martinez seized control at the net. The Swiss held after deuces in the first game of the encounter and provided a break in the fourth game for a 3-1 advantage.
The Spaniard stepped in on the return in game seven and drew the rival's mistake for a break at love. He returned to the positive side and drew the veteran's mistake in the next one for 4-4. Wawrinka held in game nine and made a push on the return in the next one.
Stan created a set point and seized it after a sharp return and the rival's mistake, wrapping up the opener in 49 minutes. They started the second set with back-to-back breaks. The Swiss netted a forehand in the seventh game and experienced a break.
He pulled it back in the next one after Martinez's forehand error, erasing the deficit and improving his chances. Wawrinka produced a fine hold in the ninth game and reached a deuce on the return in the next one, standing two points away from victory.
However, the Spaniard kept his composure and closed it for 5-5 and more drama. The 40-year-old missed a routine forehand in the 11th game, losing serve and allowing his opponent to serve for the set. Pedro held at 15 with a service winner, introducing a decider after an hour and 45 minutes.
With a boost on his side, Pedro started the final set with a break. He missed more chances at 2-0 and denied a break chance in game six with a crafty serve & volley combo. Stan netted a tired forehand in the seventh game, suffering another break and falling 5-2 behind.
Martinez served for the win in game eight and held at 30 with a service winner, moving over the top and sending the legend packing.
