Stanislas Wawrinka loses to world No. 259 in Rotterdam

Stanislas Wawrinka (Twitter Image)

Rotterdam: Three-time Grand Slam champion Stanislas Wawrinka blew a one-set lead to fall 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 against unfancied Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in a first-round shock at the Rotterdam Open on Tuesday.

The Swiss fifth seed slumped to another surprise defeat by an outsider, after losing in the Australian Open second round to Tennys Sandgren and in last week's Sofia Open semifinals to Bosnian Mirza Basic.

The 32-year-old Wawrinka, the 2015 Rotterdam winner, is struggling to regain top form after a pair of summer knee operations.

The Swiss has now lost three matches and won three since returning in January.

World number 259 Griekspoor, 21, earned the biggest success of his career as he competed in only his third ATP-level match.

Wawrinka's devastating single-handed backhand was of scant use to him on the night, with his movement still well below his best.

"It was a tough day at the office," Wawrinka said. "I still need a lot of work to get back. There are a lot of ups and downs. Today was not my best day. He played well and went for it.

"He played at a great level and deserved to win. I've got to be patient, I knew this would take a long time."

Fourth-seeded David Goffin of Belgium, last year's runner-up, brushed aside Nicolas Mahut in straight sets to reach the last 16. Goffin came through 6-1, 6-3 to post his fourth victory over the Frenchman in five meetings.

The world number seven Goffin totally dominated as he set up a second-round tie with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, winning in just 64 minutes.

Roger Federer opens his campaign at the Ahoy Arena on Wednesday, with the Swiss looking to overtake Rafael Nadal and become the oldest-ever world number one by reaching the semifinals.

Earlier on Tuesday, ninth seed Gilles Muller of Luxembourg lost to Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6 (11/9).

Serb Viktor Troicki saw off Jan-Lennard Struff 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, while Struff's fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber fought back to beat Russia's Karen Khachanov 3-6, 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/5).