Marbella Challenger 2022: Stan Wawrinka vs Elias Ymer preview, head-to-head and prediction | Andalucia Open

Match Details

Fixture: (WC) Stan Wawrinka vs Elias Ymer

Date: 29 March 2022

Tournament: AnyTech365 Andalucia Open

Round: First round (Round of 32)

Venue: Marbella, Spain

Category: ATP Challenger Tour 125

Surface: Red clay

Prize money: €134,920

Live telecast: Challenger TV

Stan Wawrinka vs Elias Ymer preview

A year on from his last outing, Stan Wawrinka will make his professional return on the clay of Marbella. He will take on Sweden's Elias Ymer in the first round of the Andalucia Open, a Challenger 125-level tournament.

Wawrinka suffered a foot injury in 2021, which kept him out of action for a long time, with fans questioning whether he will return again. The three-time Grand Slam champion has, however, been documenting his recovery on social media.

The Swiss has already confirmed his participation at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Roland Garros, and will be looking to get some wins under his belt in Marbella before those tournaments come around.

Elias Ymer at the 2021 Davis Cup final

Ymer comes into the Marbella Challenger with a few good results under his belt this year. The Swede reached the semifinals in Pune after coming through two rounds of qualification. He defeated top seed Aslan Karatsev and Stefano Travaglia in the Indian city.

The Swede will come into the match after a strong showing representing his country at the Davis Cup, winning all three of his encounters against Japan. However, he lost in the qualifying rounds of Indian Wells and Miami after his

Davis Cup wins.

Stan Wawrinka vs Elias Ymer head-to-head

The first-round encounter in Marbella will be the first meeting between Wawrinka and Ymer, so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.

Stan Wawrinka vs Elias Ymer prediction

Wawrinka at the 2021 Rotterdam Open

Wawrinka's level will be a total mystery coming into the match, since he has been out of action for a year.

The Swiss is an attacking baseliner who at his best is capable of painting the lines with winners from any position on the court. Due to his recent injury problems, he may look to play even more aggressive tennis and shorten the points.

This will play right into the hands of Ymer though. The Swede is a classic counterpuncher who is capable of making his opponent play an extra shot or two. His playing style is perfectly suited to clay.

Wawrinka will likely be rusty in his comeback match and Ymer should be able to capitalize and pull off the win.

Prediction: Elias Ymer to win in three sets.