Stan Wawrinka avoids upset in French Open first round

The defending champion pulled out a five–set win.

French Open defending champion Stan Wawrinka denied an upset bid from unseeded Lukas Rosol on Monday, prevailing in five sets to advance to the second round. 

Wawrinka, the No. 3 seed, came from behind to beat Rosol 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4.

In the decider, Wawrinka did not allow any break opportunities to Rosol, ranked No. 59 in the world. Wawrinka recorded 56 winners throughout the match but also hit 46 unforced errors. 

Had Wawrinka lost, it would have marked the earliest exit for the two–time Slam champion since an opening–round defeat at Roland Garros in 2014. 

Wawrinka’s improbable 2015 French Open title run included a quarterfinal win over No. 2 Roger Federer and a finals victory over No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

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Wawrinka, 31, advances to play the winner of Martin Klizan and Taro Daniel in the second round. The Switzerland native is ranked No. 4 on the ATP tour.

- Stanley Kay