Stanislas Wawrinka, from missing the player registration for the Aircel Chennai Open to ultimately winning it, gave himself a greatpresent for the new year.
The Swiss, ranked 19 in the world, was given a wild card after he expressed a belated interest to participate in the tournament. Though the fate of the other wild cards was disastrous (Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri, both lost in the first round), Wawrinka erased memories of his defeat in the final last year to claim only his third ATP World Tour title.
The final, a three-set encounter against former winner Xavier Malisse, was drawn out and tiring but the Swiss star prevailed.
Wawrinka had plenty of practice over the week, getting past testing encounters against David Goffin and Robin Hasse (both in three sets) in the earlier rounds, and the top-seed Tomas Berdych in the semifinal.
Wawrinka is known for his elegant and powerful single-handed backhand (described by John McEnroe as the best in the game) but coach Peter Lundgren also worked on other aspects. Wawrinka served with purpose in the tournament, hitting speeds in excess of 130 mph regularly, while his forehand appeared spiced up too. The most telling contribution by Lundgren, however, was in improving Wawrinka's fitness. The duo practised hours on end, between and after matches, and it had a weighty effect, especially in the final. As the 30-year old Malisse's intensity began to drop as the finals wore on,
Wawrinka capitalised to win his first Chennai Open title in his second attempt. Wawrinka, who acknowledged that winning the title in Chennai was the best way to start the year, also promised that fitness permitting, he would be back to defend his crown and entertain the Chennai audience, same time next year.
Fact Box:
Name : Stanislas Wawrinka
Age: 25
Nationality: Swiss
Current ATP ranking: 19
Coach: Peter Lundgren, who has also worked with Roger Federer, Marat Safin and Marcelo Rios.
Triumphs: Olympic Gold medal in doubles (2008, with Roger Federer), three ATP titles.
Friends on the circuit: Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
Favourite Grand Slam: Wimbledon.
Favourite club: LA Lakers, Real Madrid.
