Wawrinka still searching for form ahead of Roland Garros

Stan Wawrinka will enter Roland Garros with only four match wins since last year’s tournament.

The 33-year-old was a finalist in Paris in 2017, but underwent knee surgery shortly after a first round exit at Wimbledon.

After making his return at Australian Open 2018, the three-time Grand Slam champion has struggled with his fitness and been restricted to only six events so far this season.

The highest-ranked player Wawrinka has beaten since last year’s French Open is American world No.57 Jared Donaldson, who he defeated in his opening match as the two-time defending champion in Geneva this week.

Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, the world No.60, ended Wawrinka’s title defence with a 6-4 6-0 quarterfinal victory last night.

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— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) May 24, 2018

Currently ranked No.25, when Wawrinka’s finalist points from last year’s are removed he would verge on falling outside the world’s top 400 with a first round loss in Paris this year.

The French Open 2015 champion has drawn No.71-ranked Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the opening round. It will be their 11th career meeting, with Wawrinka holding a 7-3 advantage. No.2 seed Alexander Zverev and No.15 seed Lucas Pouille are also in the same section.

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To retain a top 100 ranking, Wawrinka needs to make at least the semifinals in Paris. He was last ranked outside the top 100 in April 2005.