Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Gstaad match.
The career of 40-year-old Stanislas Wawrinka is approaching its twilight. The ATP 250 event in Gstaad could be his final shot at claiming a title on home soil. However, Alexander Shevchenko is unlikely to be swayed by sentiment.
Alexander Shevchenko
The Kazakhstani player currently sits above Stanislas Wawrinka in the ATP rankings, occupying the 101st position compared to the Swiss veteran’s 156th. While Alexander Shevchenko has only recorded six wins this season, he has entered 13 tournaments, giving him consistent match practice. His most recent win came at Roland Garros, where he defeated fellow veteran Dušan Lajović in a three-set battle in the opening round. He also holds a head-to-head advantage over Stanislas Wawrinka, having beaten him in October 2023 at the ATP event in Basel (6:3, 7:6).
Stanislas Wawrinka
Despite being a regular at Gstaad, Stanislas Wawrinka has never claimed the trophy here. His only final appearance dates back to 2005 when he lost to Gaston Gaudio, highlighting the length of his professional career. At Roland Garros 2025, he received a wildcard entry but was eliminated in the first round. He skipped Wimbledon, though not due to injury—just last week he competed in an ATP Challenger in Iași, where he fell in the semi-finals to world number 117 Elmer Møller (2:6, 6:7).
Alexander Shevchenko vs Stanislas Wawrinka Prediction
Although Stanislas Wawrinka may have the backing of the crowd and a strong desire for a home triumph, that alone may not be enough. We lean towards Alexander Shevchenko with a positive handicap, which appears to be the more measured approach.
