Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka off the mark at Queen’s Club

ATP Tour

Top seed Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka claimed straightforward first-round wins at the Fever-Tree Championships.

Croatian Cilic required just over an hour to beat Fernando Verdasco from Spain 6-3, 6-4, with one break of serve in each set more than enough to earn him the win.

“I felt I prepared really well for the match, considering on the other side of the net was Fernando, a great quality player,” Cilic said.

“I lost to him few times already, and that just pushed me to be ready from the first point. I got into the match really well. I served well straightaway from the beginning… Really pleased with today, and I knew obviously if Fernando is hot, he can play great tennis, so I’m pleased to win it in straight sets.”

He will face Gilles Muller next after the world No 46 beat Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6).

Wawrinka made light work of Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie, winning 6-2, 6-3 in under an hour.

“In general [the knee] has been improving week after week,” Wawrinka, who faces Sam Querrey next after the American beat Britain’s Jay Clarke 6-3, 6-3. “Now I feel really good on court, strong physically.

“I will have ups and downs in the next months and need to be patient. You need to be ready to accept frustrating but today was a great day.”

Frances Tiafoe came out on top of an all-American clash as he beat Jared Donaldson 6-5, 7-6 (7-4).

In the final game of the day, Daniil Medvedev from Russia upset sixth-seeded American Jack Sock 7-5, 6-3.

ATP Tour Cameron Norrie Jack Sock Marin Cilic Queens Stan Wawrinka

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