Stan Wawrinka reacts after winning first ATP match since May ahead of retirement in Basel

Stan Wawrinka defeated Martin Landaluce, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, in the first round of the Lyon Open.

The retiring Swiss icon picked up his first ATP Tour win since the Geneva Open in May (Wawrinka beat Raul Brancaccio), taking down a man 21 years his junior in Landaluce.

Wawrinka was understandably delighted with the win, ending his losing streak as he approaches retirement at next week’s Swiss Indoors in Basel.

Stan Wawrinka confirms he is ‘happy’ with his level as he prepares to retire from tennis

“It’s not the first meeting, like you say; he’s young, I’m old. So I’m happy to get through; it was a tough battle, of course. Great to be here for the first time in Lyon, amazing atmosphere, so super happy with the match,” said Wawrinka after beating Landaluce in their second career meeting (Wawrinka beat Landaluce in Saint-Tropez last year).

“The victory! I had so much fun; I almost lost that one,” added Wawrinka when asked what pleased him the most about his first ATP Tour win in 156 days.

Stan Wawrinka vs Martin Landaluce – Match stats

“Winning a tough one… I’ve lost many tough matches this year, so super happy with the fight. I think I served well; I was really focused, and I’m happy with the win.”

Wawrinka was then asked about his coaching team and the work they’ve put in to get him fit for the final two tournaments of his professional career.

“Yeah, always behind me, so it’s great. We did a really good block; it’s my last two tournaments here in Lyon and Basel. It was important to be here, to feel good on the court. Of course, every match is a different challenge, so I’m happy with my level, with what I’m putting on the court; that’s most important,” he said.

Wawrinka finally returned to winning ways against Landaluce, but he won’t want to stop there. Through to the second round of the Lyon Open, the 41-year-old will be keen to qualify for his first ATP quarter-final of the season.

Stan Wawrinka’s last nine ATP Tour matches (1-9)

• Geneva Open 2R [LOSS] vs Alex Michelsen, 6-7, 6-7
• French Open 1R [LOSS] vs Jesper de Jong, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6
• Wimbledon 1R [LOSS] vs Matteo Berrettini, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-7
• Swiss Open 1R [LOSS] vs Jaime Faria, 7-6, 4-6, 4-6
• Estoril Open 1R [LOSS] vs Roman Andres Burruchaga, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6
• US Open 1R [LOSS] vs Matteo Berrettini, 6-7, 6-7, 0-6
• Davis Cup WG [LOSS] vs Gustavo Heide, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6
• Lyon Open 1R [WIN] vs Martin Landaluce, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6

Who will Stan Wawrinka play next at the Lyon Open?

Wawrinka will return to take on the top seed, Flavio Cobolli, in the second round of the Lyon Open. As the top seed, Cobolli received a bye into the second round and hasn’t yet played a match at the event.

The pair have met twice previously, and Cobolli leads their head-to-head 2-0. The Italian defeated the Swiss at the 2024 Shanghai Masters and the 2026 United Cup. Wawrinka will be up against it when they face off for a spot in the quarter-finals of the Lyon Open, but may feel more confident when he looks at Cobolli’s recent results.

Cobolli has lost his last four matches, falling to Alexander Blockx in New York, to Learner Tien at the Laver Cup, to Roman Safiullin in Beijing, and to Adrian Mannarino in Shanghai. If there is ever a time to play Cobolli, it’s now.

Wawrinka and Cobolli will play their second-round match on Thursday, October 22. The winner will advance to play Kyrian Jacquet or Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals.