UMAG:  In an exhilarating display of tennis prowess, Stan Wawrinka showcased his mastery on the clay courts of Croatia Open, finally breaking his 2023 semi-final jinx. The former World No. 3 outclassed Roberto Carballes Baena in a thrilling encounter, securing a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

In the pair's second ATP Head to Head clash in the space of 11 days,  Wawrinka proved to be the better player yet again, now boasting an impressive 2-0 record against Carballes Baena. The quarter-final battle was tense, with narrow margins determining the winner on that fateful Friday.

Wawrinka's brilliance shone through with crucial late breaks of serve in each set, ultimately sealing his triumph in a one-hour and 44-minute spectacle. This triumph marks his long-awaited return to a tour-level semi-final since his last appearance in Metz back in September 2022.

Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Wawrinka expressed, "He's a really tough player, and I expected a tough match." The Swiss player attributed his success to his exceptional performance that night. Despite the challenging slow conditions, Wawrinka managed to stay aggressive and dominant, basking in the joy of the game. "I'm happy to be in the semi-finals tomorrow," he added with a smile.

Wawrinka's resurgence in Umag after a 16-year hiatus has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Having played six sets in the clay-court ATP 250 tournament, he has emerged victorious in all of them. The Swiss maestro has his sights set on claiming his first tour-level title since his victory in Geneva back in 2017.

The road to glory continues for Wawrinka as he sets his sights on Lorenzo Sonego for the upcoming match. Sonego showcased his prowess, defeating Jaume Munar in a grueling three-set encounter (3-6, 6-1, 6-2).

Anticipating another challenging face-off, Wawrinka admitted, "It's going to be a tough match." He acknowledged Sonego's skill as a great player and a formidable fighter, armed with a repertoire of incredible shots. The Swiss champion knows he's in for a tough battle but remains hopeful that his exceptional form will carry him through to yet another victory.

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