MONACO — Stan Wawrinka's title defense at the Monte Carlo Masters got off to a solid start Wednesday with 6-1, 6-4 win over Juan Monaco in the second round.
The seventh-seeded Swiss, who won his maiden Masters tournament last year at the Country Club, won 15 of the first 20 points and broke twice to build a 5-1 lead before serving out the first set at love.
After conceding only two points on his serve in the opener, Wawrinka was made to work harder in a second set featuring five breaks of serve.
Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal will open his campaign later against wild-card entry Lucas Pouille, while second-seeded Roger Federer will take on Jeremy Chardy.