<p class="title">Stan Wawrinka came up just short against Roger Federer in a classic French Open quarterfinal on Tuesday but despite his initial disappointment, the 34-year-old knows he is back.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka had two knee surgeries in 2017 and struggled to rediscover his best form initially but he has returned to 28th in the rankings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In Paris this year he has looked close to his best with wins against dangerous Chilean Cristian Garin, Grigor Dimitrov and Greek sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-hour last-16 classic -- the longest singles match of his career.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He pushed Federer all the way on Tuesday before losing 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, ending his hope of a first Grand Slam semifinal since he lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2017 Paris final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But he could see the bigger picture.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think in general the tournament was great for me," Wawrinka told reporters. "I won some big matches, especially against Garin, playing super well against Dimitrov.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Tough match in two days followed by Tsitsipas, big battle, five hours. I was super happy also to be ready physically after all that time on the court.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today to give another big battle against Roger was a tough one for sure. But it was a great battle. This is really good for the future. It shows me I have done the right things."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wawrinka said it was a completely different feeling to last year when he lost in the opening round and his ranking slipped into the 200s and many thought his best days were gone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm more positive than sad or disappointed with the result," the 2015 French Open champion said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know how I left here last year when down in the rankings, like 260 or something. I'm going to be back in the top 20. For me, I'm happy with that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wawrinka's three career wins over Federer all came on clay, including a quarterfinal triumph in 2015 when he went on to deny Novak Djokovic his career Grand Slam in the final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said Tuesday's loss came down to tiny details.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today I was playing great and he was playing the way I expect him to play against me," he said.</p>
<p class="title">Stan Wawrinka came up just short against Roger Federer in a classic French Open quarterfinal on Tuesday but despite his initial disappointment, the 34-year-old knows he is back.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka had two knee surgeries in 2017 and struggled to rediscover his best form initially but he has returned to 28th in the rankings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In Paris this year he has looked close to his best with wins against dangerous Chilean Cristian Garin, Grigor Dimitrov and Greek sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-hour last-16 classic -- the longest singles match of his career.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He pushed Federer all the way on Tuesday before losing 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, ending his hope of a first Grand Slam semifinal since he lost to Rafael Nadal in the 2017 Paris final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But he could see the bigger picture.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I think in general the tournament was great for me," Wawrinka told reporters. "I won some big matches, especially against Garin, playing super well against Dimitrov.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Tough match in two days followed by Tsitsipas, big battle, five hours. I was super happy also to be ready physically after all that time on the court.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today to give another big battle against Roger was a tough one for sure. But it was a great battle. This is really good for the future. It shows me I have done the right things."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wawrinka said it was a completely different feeling to last year when he lost in the opening round and his ranking slipped into the 200s and many thought his best days were gone.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I'm more positive than sad or disappointed with the result," the 2015 French Open champion said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know how I left here last year when down in the rankings, like 260 or something. I'm going to be back in the top 20. For me, I'm happy with that."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Wawrinka's three career wins over Federer all came on clay, including a quarterfinal triumph in 2015 when he went on to deny Novak Djokovic his career Grand Slam in the final.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said Tuesday's loss came down to tiny details.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Today I was playing great and he was playing the way I expect him to play against me," he said.</p>