By Adrianna Outlaw | Sunday, January 10, 2016
Stan Wawrinka beat Borna Coric, 6-3, 7-5, to capture his third straight Chennai championship and fourth overall.
Photo credit: Aircel Chennai Open
The Chennai Open continues to serve as Stan Wawrinka's launching pad.
Wawrinka beat Borna Coric, 6-3, 7-5, to capture his third consecutive Chennai championship and fourth overall.
The top-seeded Swiss did not drop a set en route to the title. Commanding the stadium court, Wawrinka has won 12 straight matches and 24 consecutive sets in Chennai.
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"I was expecting a really tough match," said Wawrinka, who beat Coric for the third time in as many meetings. "He's young, he's really good. He's always finding a way to fight and come back to the match. Today was a really tough one. I had to play my best game."
Contesting his first career ATP final, the 19-year-old Coric was the youngest man to play an ATP final since an 18-year-old Kei Nishikori beat James Blake in the 2008 Delray Beach final.
While Wawrinka cruised to the final, the 44th-ranked Croat went the distance in three of his four prior matches. Coric spent six hours and 13 minutes more than Wawrinka on court to reach the final. The teenager scrambled throughout, but could not match Wawrinka's physicality.
"I knew it was gonna be a tough match," said Coric, who lost to Wawrinka, 6-1, 6-4, at the 2015 Chennai event. "Stan played an unbelievable match. Well done."
Asked exactly what Wawrinka did to trouble him most, a smiling Coric quipped: "the serve, the backhand, the forehand and the volleys."
The pair played an electric point, which Wawrinka won to earn break point in the 12th game of the second set. Wawrinka launched a backhand winner down the line to break for a 6-5 lead.
Spinning his 15th ace out wide for championship point, Wawrinka sealed his 12th career championship with a forehand drop shot.
The 2014 Australian Open champions leaves Chennai with his fourth title in eight appearances and a champion's check of $75,700.
"(It was) perfect conditions to start the season," Wawrinka said. "Leaving tonight with the trophy is a great feeling. I'm going to enjoy this trophy and see what's going to happen with the Australian Open."