Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic withdraw from Tokyo



by DZEVAD MESIC

Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic withdraw from Tokyo

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic have withdrawn from next week's Japan Open in Tokyo. Wawrinka, who also pulled out of last week's St. Petersburg Open, won't be making his sixth appearance on the indoor-hard courts of Tokyo.

The 34-year-old made it all the way at the Japan Open in 2015 after beating good friend Benoit Paire in the final. World No. 21 Wawrinka returned to Tokyo for the first time since winning it all last year -- but failed to make a deep run once again -- as he exited the event in the round-of-16.

On the other side, 25th-ranked Raonic won't be taking part at the Japan Open for the eight time in his career. The 28-year-old has had several deep runs in Tokyo but has never made it all the way as he ended runner-up at the tournament in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Wawrinka and Raonic will be replaced in Tokyo by Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas and 2017 Paris Masters runner-up Filip Krajinovic. Ramos-Vinolas, 31, is set to make his fourth appearance in Tokyo, while 27-year-old Krajinovic is set for a debut at the Japan Open.

Stan Wawrinka Milos Raonic Albert Ramos-Vinolas