The Swiss didn't get the win against Rafael Nadal but his loss in Toronto may have been a big step in his comeback.

Stan Wawrinka didn’t get the win against Rafael Nadal on Thursday night in Toronto, in fact he didn’t even take a set before he fell to the Spaniard 7-5, 7-6(4) in a thrilling night session battle, but the Swiss did make some significant strides in form in what many are calling the best match of the week at the Rogers Cup.

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Wawrinka played Nadal close the whole way, and he really turned up his tennis after falling behind by a break in the second set.

Tennis Express

The above passing shot was just one shining example of the caliber of shotmaking that Wawrinka was able to produce in this match, and it was enough to truly fluster Nadal at moments, but ultimately not enough to get the Stanimal a win.


Such has been the case in 2018 for Wawrinka, who falls to 3-17 lifetime against Nadal and 8-12 on the season. But if Wawrinka’s swashbuckling form against Nadal on Thursday is any indication, he could be about to turn a corner on the hardcourts. We’ve been waiting for him to emerge in a season that has seen him struggle to return to the tour after undergoing double knee surgery late in 2017, and perhaps the experience of going toe-to-toe with Nadal may be the moment where Wawrinka finally starts to believe that he can once again play with the best.

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