US Open champion Wawrinka struggles in 1st match

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka reacts during a first round match against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017. AP Photo/Kin Cheung

MELBOURNE, Australia  — U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka has scraped into the second round of the Australian Open after beating 35th-ranked Martin Klizan of Slovakia 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

In the ninth game of the fifth set, fourth-seeded Wawrinka smashed a soft half-volley from Klizan straight back into the Slovakian’s body, clipping the frame and just missing his midsection.

Wawrinka was concerned enough about his opponent that he jumped over the net to make sure Klizan was OK, but the match continued without much delay.

Warwinka held serve in that game to lead 5-4, then broke Klizan in the next game to clinch the match in 3 hours, 24 minutes.

There were 32 break-point chances in the match, with Wawrinka converting six chances to Klizan’s five.