Wawrinka into last 16 at French Open

Defending champion Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka returns the ball to France’s Jeremy Chardy during their third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Friday, May 27, 2016 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka reached the last 16 at the French Open on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 win over France’s Jeremy Chardy.

The third seed from Switzerland next goes up against the winner of the tie between Gilles Simon of France and Victor Troicki of Serbia for a place in the quarter-finals.

It was Wawrinka’s 10th straight win at Roland Garros following his run to a second Grand Slam title last year.

He is seeking to become the eighth man in the Open era, since 1968, to successfully defend the title in Paris.

“Very good match and at a top level,” he said of his win.

“I am happy with the way I played and with my movement. I tried to get on top physically from the start and not be on the backfoot.”