Stan Wawrinka bid farewell to the Monte Carlo Masters as the 2014 champion fell 7-5, 7-5 to Sebastian Baez in the first round on Monday. The 41-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner will retire from tennis at the end of the season and entered the main draw in Monaco as a wild card 20 years on from his debut at the tournament. The Swiss won his sole 1000-level title 12 years ago in the principality when he defeated his compatriot Roger Federer.
Heading into his meeting with 65th-ranked Argentine Baez, Wawrinka’s only match since losing to eventual winner Daniil Medvedev in the last 16 at February’s Dubai Open was a three-set defeat to then-world number 348 Matteo Martineau at a challenger event on clay in Naples late last month. Despite that, Wawrinka raced out of the blocks on Court Rainier III as he took a 4-1 lead in the opening set. Baez hit back to level scores at 5-5 before pouncing on Wawrinka’s serve in the 11th game to get ahead.
Wawrinka then lost his opening service game of the second frame as Baez took control of the match, eventually closing out victory in one hour and 47 minutes after weathering a stirring late comeback by the former world No 3. As reward for his win, Baez will next face world No 1 and reigning Monte Carlo champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.