ATP Masters Cincinnati: Murray vs. Wawrinka - a classic is reissued
Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka are playing their first-round duel at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati today (live on Sky). There will probably not be many encounters between the two legends.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Aug 15, 2022, 11:46 am
A proud 72 years of life and tennis experience and six Grand Slam titles in singles will meet today on the Center Court of Cincinnati (from around 9 p.m. live on Sky). Because the draw for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati resulted in a meeting between Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. Almost a classic in the tennis circuit, which has been held 21 times so far.
But times have changed: For both players it's now just a matter of catching up with the extended world elite, an undertaking in which Murray is already much further than his Swiss colleague. The Scot is currently in position 47 in the ATP charts, this year Murray has already made two appearances in the finals (in Sydney and Stuttgart). Wawrinka, on the other hand, takes his comeback rather slowly, taking breaks between his performances.
The story between Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray began in 2005, when Stan won the Davis Cup in Geneva in three sets. What followed were a few classics over the full distance (round of 16 Wimbledon 2009, semi-finals Roland Garros 2017), but here and there also games that found their winner surprisingly quickly: around 2013 in Monte Carlo, when Wawrinka Murray only left three games . Or in 2018 in Eastbourne on grass, where the local hero won 6-2 and 6-2.
Murray's first time at the Laver Cup
Andy Murray is clearly ahead in tournament victories, by the way, he celebrated the last of his 46 against Stan Wawrinka: in autumn 2019 in Antwerp. The chances of another coming in Cincinnati are slim, in round two either Holger Rune or Cameron Norrie is waiting. And after all, in the US state of Ohio, the entire world class is at the start with the exception of Novak Djokovic. Murray will see him again in a few weeks: at his premiere in the Laver Cup in London. A final appearance by the Big Four has been announced for the Europe vs. World matchup, including Roger Federer, who has not played a match since the 2021 Wimbledon tournament.
Strictly speaking, Stan Wawrinka is also one of the greats of his guild. Because of the active players, the now 37-year-old, together with Murray, is still the one who has won the most major titles after Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. No wonder he and Andy Murray are allowed to play their 22nd duel on Monday on the largest court in Cincinnati.