Stan Wawrinka's grass-court struggles continued after he endured a surprise defeat to Fernando Verdasco in the first round at Queen's.
Wawrinka, a two-time grand slam champion, was looking to gain some rhythm at the Aegon Championships before Wimbledon, the only grand slam where he is yet to reach the semi-finals.
The Swiss had even added Richard Krajicek, a champion at the All England Club in 1996, to his coaching team this summer but there appears still to be work to do as Wawrinka lost 6-2 7-6 (7/3) to Verdasco in the first round.
Verdasco, ranked 48 places lower than his opponent at number 53 in the world, adjusted better to the damp conditions in South London, where frequent showers ensured a stop-start contest.
The Spaniard was much the sharper in the opening set, however, and while Wawrinka improved in the second, even leading 5-4, Verdasco pulled 3-0 clear in the tie-break and never looked back.
The 32-year-old will now face either Australia's Bernard Tomic or big-serving South African Kevin Anderson in the second round.
Source: PA
