Croatia Open: Wawrinka winds back the clock to make first final in four years

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has wound back the clock to make his first ATP-level final in almost four years, defeating second seed Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-4 to move into the final of the Croatia Open in Umag on Saturday night.

The 38-year-old made short work of Sonego, winning 84% of his first serves and breaking the Italian once in each set.

After the match, Wawrinka shared his thoughts, saying:

“I’m happy with the match, I think I played really well, the best match of the week. Really happy to be in the final tomorrow.”

Next step for Wawrinka : Popyrin

Wawrinka, ranked No 72, will face Australian Alexei Popyrin in the final of the Croatia Open, who had a very contrasting semi-final, lasting well over three hours against Matteo Arnaldi.

The 38-year-old Swiss defeated Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic (6-3, 6-2), Argentinian Federico Coria (7-5, 6-1) and Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, the No 4 seed (6-4, 7-5) in the previous rounds of the Umag tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Sonego, ranked No 43, won against Marco Cecchinato (6-1, 7-6 (7)) and Spaniard Jaume Munar (3-6, 6-1, 6-2).

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Umag ATP250, other semi-final result (ITC Stella Maris, clay, EUR 562.815):

• Alexei Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi (7): 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-3