TOKYO — French Open champion Stan Wawrinka made it through this time.
A year after a surprising first-round exit at the Japan Open, the top-seeded Swiss won his opening match at this year's tournament, beating Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-3 Tuesday.
"Last year I was struggling a little bit to find my best level after the U.S. Open," said Wawrinka, wearing a "Stan The Man" T-shirt. "This year, I feel quite fresh."
Wawrinka lost to Tatsuma Ito in the first round last year, and that's who he will face in the second round this time.