Aircel Chennai Open: 2010 finalist Stanislas Wawrinka wins crown in 2011
It was a weekend of champions as best of the best were crowned in the season opener triquetra. As world number two Roger Federer lifted his title at Doha and Soderling defeated defending champion Andy Roddick to win his debut title at Brisbane, Federer’s
compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka finally lifted the title at the Chennai event.
Seeded third, Wawrinka had received a wild card entry into the event. Having debuted in 2010, this was the Swiss’ second straight participation at the event. His debut run at the event had resulted in a final run. Having moved past wildcard entrant Rohan
Bopanna, Michael Russell, Michael Berrer and Dudi Sela in the semis, Wawrinka met eventual champion Marin Cilic in the finals.
Wawrinka had entered the event with high hopes of a title win. This time around, the Swiss once again started his title run at the event playing local star and wild card entrant Bopanna in the opening round. Enjoying a twin set score win of 6-4, 6-4, Wawrinka
moved ahead to meet qualifier David Goffin. In a hard fought battle with both sets going into tiebreakers, Wawrinka was able to ultimately secure a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) victory over the German. Up till now Wawrinka enjoyed smooth sailing in the event registering
no set loss. His first bump at the event came in the quarterfinals when he met eighth seed Robin Haase. Bouncing back from one set down, Wawrinka sailed to a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory in the second set and decider. His highest ranked opponent came in the
semis when he met top seed and world number six Tomas Berdych. However, scoring 6-4 in the opener and then a breadstick in the second set, Wawrinka was able to setup a final clash with 2007 titlist Xavier Malisse.
Meeting for the first time on the courts, Wawrinka succeeded in leading their head to head 1-0. Being down 2-4 in the opener, Wawrinka bounced back to win five of six games to clinch the first set 7-5. The Swiss however, could not continue his form into
the second set losing it 4-6. Entering the decider, the Swiss decided to show no mercy. Rushing into the lead, Wawrinka was able to secure a breadstick win over the Belgian to clinch his third career title. Winning the title, Wawrinka jumped up two spots,
securing the nineteenth position in the rankings now.
Winning the title, Wawrinka said, "I'm more than happy, it was a perfect week. I improved my game day after day and finished with a great match. It's amazing to have the trophy today. It's a perfect start to the year. I have one week to be ready for the Australian
Open and this will give me a lot of confidence for the first Grand Slam.”
Belgian, on the other hand, lamented, "It's always disappointing when you don't win a final. But it's not like I played bad, he played really well. My first serve let me down a bit in the third [set]. He got more free points in the third which makes a big
difference after two long sets.”
With Wawrinka lifting the singles title, the local dynamic duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi pairing up for the first time in nine years clinched their first doubles title of the season.
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