Today, Stan Wawrinka, the fourth seed in the draw, was hoping for an easier task than the one handed him in the first round by Martin Klizan. Five setters in week one should be kept to a minimum, preferably zero, one is sufficient.
American Steve Johnson had made it to the second round by virtue of his straight sets win over Federico Delbonis. Wawrinka was several steps up in class.
Wawrinka opened the match with a service hold, two aces to seal the game, and then Johnson had no difficulty equalising, mainly due to some backhand rubbish from Stan.
Stan held again, the forehand on song this time, and Johnson managed once more to level.
Serving for the set at 5-3 Wawrinka gave nothing away and the love game saw him one set closer to the third round 6-3.
Johnson opened set two impressively, passing Stan on his backhand for two winners and comfortably holding for 1-0.
At 30-30 a lucky net cord gave Wawrinka game point and he made use of it. 1-1.
A fairly messy returning game from Stan ensured games remained on serve, Johnson ahead 2-1.
Wawrinka's better half took over and he played some delightful shots in the fourth game on his own serve.
A protracted fifth game saw Johnson struggle in a forlorn attempt to hold serve, the Swiss pressure finally proving too much and Wawrinka consolidated the break for his 4-2 advantage, albeit having to pull out some sheer brilliance at the net to save a break point.
3-5 and Johnson required to hold to have any chance in the set. Both players were responsible for some terrific shotmaking in the ninth game, but under immense pressure, Johnson held firm and trailed 4-5 at its conclusion.
Wawrinka, as in the first set, finished off in style, to love, and had a tight grip on the match 6-3 6-4.
Johnson served well to lead 1-0 and had Wawrinka in strife down 15-40 before Stan extracted himself from the depths with some of his best serves. Then it was time to rip into the Johnson serve and Steve admirably defended his ground until the final brilliant passing shot left him high and dry and broken. 1-2
Wawrinka began to show off a few party tricks on his way to a 3-1 lead - the down the line winners kept coming but the touch around the net was a treat for the crowd. He repeated this in the next game which Johnson appeared to have under control at 40-15, but suddenly was looking a break point in the face.
He saved that and proceeded to hold with two beautiful shots, one on either side of a stranded Wawrinka.
3-2 to Stan.
Two solid service games and it was 4-3.
Wawrinka struggled to reach 5-3 but ultimately did and at 30-30 on the Johnson serve was two points from a win. Johnson determined that wouldn't happen until at least another change of ends.
5-4 and Stan to serve for it. Another love game to clinch the match.
6-3 6-4 6-4 and Wawrinka is a threat.
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