Twenty-two years after debuting in Basel, Stan Wawrinka is still capable of winning matches at the home event. The 40-year-old received a wild card for the main draw and defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 7-6 in an hour and 22 minutes.
Thus, he became the second-oldest player to achieve an ATP500 victory, passing Roger Federer and trailing only Feliciano Lopez. The home player took 15 points more than the Serb.
Stan dominated the opener and erased a 4-1 deficit in set number two to seal the deal in straight sets and preserve energy. Wawrinka outplayed his rival behind the second serve.
He lost serve once from the only chance presented to Miomir and responded with three breaks from eight opportunities. The Swiss attacked and landed 33 winners and 25 unforced errors.
He hit more service winners and had the upper hand from the baseline and at the net. The home favorite served well in the opener and kept the pressure on the other side.
Stan drew the rival's mistake in the fourth game for a break and secured another at 4-1 after the Serb's mistake. The Swiss landed a winner at 5-1, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 26 minutes.
Kecmanovic broke in the second game of the second set and forged a 4-1 advantage. The Serb sprayed a double fault in the seventh game, allowing his opponent to pull the break back.
They served well in the remaining games and introduced a tie break. Miomir landed a winner in the third point to reduce the gap before playing a terrible drop shot at 2-2.
Wawrinka landed two service winners for 5-2 and grabbed another mini-break for four match points. The veteran converted the second with a powerful serve, celebrating his 17th victory in Basel.
