By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, June 24, 2014

 

Stan Wawrinka didn't suffer the same fate as he did in Paris by posting an opening round at Wimbledon. Milos Raonic also advanced in straights.

Photo Credit: AP

For Stan Wawrinka, an opening round win at Wimbledon must feel like relief.

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That's because the No. 5 seed recently exited at the same stage during the French Open just a few short weeks ago. With Wawrinka recently saying he felt more comfortable entering the third major of the year, a better result was expected.

Wawrinka faced off against Portugal's Joao Sousa on Monday. Though Wawrinka was the favorite, nothing was guaranteed for the current Australian Open title winner. That was due to Wawrinka having lost in the opening round at Wimbledon the last two years in a row.

Not taking the World No. 41 Sousa for granted, Wawrinka played a relatively clean match from start to finish. That included not facing a break point all afternoon.

Soon, Wawrinka wrapped up the 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win.

Despite Wawrinka being seeded No. 5 at the Championships despite his current top ranking, the Swiss is eager only to look ahead.

“It’s just amazing to see the Big Four winning everything for so many years,” Wawrinka said afterwards. “They are better players than us, that’s for sure. That’s not the question. But I’m playing good tennis and I know that I can make some damage here.”

Janowicz, Raonic, Tsonga All Advance

Another player many are keeping an eye on in the gentlemen's draw is Canada's Milos Raonic. Despite not having posted stellar results on grass in the last few years, Raonic is ready to change that this fortnight.

The No. 8 seed took the first step in his campaign with a rather straightforward 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over Australia's Matt Ebden.

Raonic fired off 30 aces in the match. Now equaling his best ever result at Wimbledon by reaching the second round, he'll next face another big server in American Jack Sock.

Poland's Jerzy Janowicz made the semis of Wimbledon last year. But 2014 has been a struggle for the Pole who entered as the No. 15 seed.

Somdev Devvarman tested Janowicz by forcing a fifth set in their first round meeting. But Janowicz, taking hold of a early break of serve, completed the 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win.

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga only need two minutes to completed his rain postponed first round match from Monday versus Jurgen Melzer, With an ace, Tsonga secured the 6-1, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 result.

Other winners included No. 9 seed John Isner and No. 10 seed Kei Nishikori.