GSTAAD – Swiss top seed Stanislas Wawrinka will aim to stop the rot after three first-round losses in four appearances at the Allianz Suisse Open.

The world number nine can carry confidence from a Rome final on clay and a Paris third round into his opening match at home after a bye, when he plays one of two compatriots, number 138 doubles partner Stephane Bohli or wild card Robin Roshardt.

"Stan" is also fresh from his career-best Wimbledon showing, where he lost in the fourth round to Marat Safin. "I’m really very confident in my game right now, I know I’m play well," said the finalist on clay two months ago in Rome.

The Gstaad clay at 800 metres in the Alps plays as fast as many hardcourts, making the week a challenge after playing on the British grass.

Wawrinka will be keen to recover from 2007’s embarrassing opening exit to Argentine Martin Vassallo-Arguello in three sets.

Familiarity may breed contempt for second seed Paul-Henri Mathieu as he faces Croatian Marin Cilic for the sixth time in just over three months.

Cilic won their last two contests on grass, including a Wimbledon third round just over a week ago.

The previous three went to number 16 Mathieu, the defending champion who stands 7-3 at the event.

The teenager Cilic, 55th, won his opening match Monday over French qualifier Josselin Ouanna 6-3, 6-4.

There was a first-round victory for Gstaad debutant Guillermo Canas, who beat Czech Ivo Minar 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.

Frenchman Florent Serra stopped Spain’s Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5) while seventh-seeded Russian Igor Andreev defeated Marcos Daniel of Brazil 6-4, 7-5.

[dpa / Expatica]