GENEVA, May 18, 2016

The ATP World Tour has returned to Switzerland for the second edition of the Geneva Open. Like last year, the top seed of the ATP 250 event is local hero Stan Wawrinka. The world number four headlines the action this week at Lake Geneva.

Wawrinka, however, is currently not in his best form. The last time the 31-year-old won three consecutive matches on the tour was in Dubai in February, when he claimed the title. Yet, he is confident that the turning point is not far away.

“I feel good, I practice well and I am physically in good shape,” says Wawrinka, who has not beaten a player from the top 10 this year.

“I need to gain a couple of wins,” he points out. “It is difficult for me to accept a poor form.”

Nonetheless, Wawrinka stays positive and his opening match in Geneva was a step into the right direction. On Tuesday, the Swiss defeated Albert Ramos 6-1, 6-1 in only 53 minutes.

“I stayed relaxed on the court and everything worked out,” he told afterwards.

Wawrinka is the reigning champion at Roland Garros, which starts next Sunday. If he is able to defend his title, will be more than uncertain at the moment. With world number one Novak Djokovic in top form and Andy Murray improving on the clay from one tournament to another, the competition will be tougher than ever before. And there are still Wawrinka’s compatriot Roger Federer and the “king of clay” Rafael Nadal.

“From the top four, I am still light-years away,” he recently stated, but strictly follows his goals. “I haven’t come to Geneva in order to prepare for Roland Garros. I want to win the tournament.” In 2015 he fell in his opening match to Lukas Rosol and two weeks later he celebrated his second Grand Slam title. Wawrinka is always good for a surprise.