The French Open 2017 is nigh upon us and Switzerland's second favourite son: Stanislas Wawrinka could have woken up - just in time.
Ever since his semi-final defeat to fellow countryman Roger Federer at the last Grand Slam, the Australian Open 2017 - Stan has struggled big time. Losses to the likes of Benoît Paire in Madrid (Nadal's French Open 1st round opponent), the big-serving American John Isner in Rome, and Pablo Cuevas in Monte Carlo - are just a few examples of defeats you wouldn't have thought that Stan was capable of at the start of the season.
Stan defeats Mischa Zverev in a much needed confidence boost to win in Geneva
It wasn't his most comprehensive tournament victory, but his defeat of the tricky and dangerous Mischa Zverev in the final in Geneva this week - was arguably Wawrinka's most welcomed tournament success.
A modest first serve percentage of 69% in the final, suggests that Stan still has a lot of work to do on his game. This is especially the case if he is going to be entering the latter stages of the French Open, whereby, second serves will be severely punished. However, what this victory does say - is that Stanislas Wawrinka has got his grit back. Something he will need entering next week's slam.
Wawrinka starts off his French Open 2017 campaign against Jozef Kovalik
The Slovak qualifier and world number 152: Jozef Kovalik is the first obstacle for Wawrinka. There is no head-to-head record between these players to provide perspective on this match, but even at his poorest you'd still expect Stan to comfortably sweep past Kovalik.
It's been a great achievement for the Slovak to make the first round draw.
Stan will be looking to hit the ground running with a straight sets victory, in what appears to be an open tournament this year. Of course, Nadal is a worthy favourite and Federer will be dangerous, even though he's not played a competitive match on clay this season.
Stan is in Andy Murray's half of the draw. Whilst this has never been the current world number 1's favourite surface - he has been getting better on clay, but his current form is atrocious and Stan will fancy his chances, should they meet.
Stan has a great recent record at Roland Garros
The winner in 2015 and semi-finalist last year, gives Stan great pedigree in this event. In 2015 he wasn't pulling up any trees in the run up to the event. Therefore, you should not be put off backing him for this year's tournament based on his relatively poor form this year. He is still a dangerous player.
