Wawrinka downs Coric in straight sets to complete hat-trick of titles
If there is one thing that Stan Wawrinka hasn’t mastered in his eight consecutive appearances at the ATP Chennai Open, it’s his batting grip. As a post-match custom here, the winner wields a cricket bat to slam a few souvenirs into the stands and the way the Swiss grips the willow — left as bottom hand for a right-hander — isn’t a pleasing sight for the purists.
However, none was bothered about the imperfection in his cricket abilities, especially after the world no. 4 continued his stranglehold on the country’s only ATP event by becoming the first player to complete a hat-trick of titles here. The clinical 6-3, 7-5 win over a 19-year-old Croatian Borna Coric in just under 90 minutes swelled his tally to fourth in Chennai. The winning streak was extended to 12 matches that includes another staggering statistic of 24 straight sets.
“Do you guys want me to comeback for the ninth time ” asked Wawrinka as the packed stands responded with a loud cheer.
“I think, it’s a great place to play tennis. I like the people here. They’ve always been nice to me since the time I first played here. Hopefully, I’ll be back next year too,” he added.
Up against world no. 4 in his maiden Tour final, Coric was bidding to emulate his countryman Marin Cilic, who was the last teenager to win an ATP title (New Haven in 2008). The odds were stacked heavily against him. While Wawrinka enjoyed a routine road to the final with a first-round bye and straight-set wins over no. 5 and no. 3 seeds, Coric had spent more than nine hours on the court before the showdown with the reigning French Open champion. However, Coric showed no fear and reverence. After all, the young Croatian already has the high-profile scalps of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in his CV.
Coric had his moments in the match. He made Wawrinka to sweat in the very first game before the no. 1 seed could hold his serve. In the seventh game, the one after Wawrinka went a break up to lead 4-2, the 30-year-old had to fight tooth and nail to erase five breakpoints. The game swung like a pendulum and saw five deuces.
“At 30-40, he hit an unbelievable forehand cross-court winner. Stan came up with a couple of aces when it mattered the most. It was amazing,” said Coric, who vows to improve in a bid to keep pace with the top-10 players. For the first time this week, Wawrinka was rattled on the court. The umpire even warned him for his “behaviour” that Wawrinka played down at the media interaction. “It was nothing big and special,” added Wawrinka.
Wawrinka said it was important for him to focus on every point.
“Borna is a tough opponent. He’s always fighting and trying to find a way to stay and score points. I stayed tough throughout and am happy with the way I played today, having won in straight sets. The crowd was amazing. I have always had good support here.”
Austria’s Oliver Marach and France’s Fabrice Martin got the better of American Austin Krajicek and Benoit Paire of France 6-3, 7-5 to win the doubles title.
Meanwhile, the organisers announced that the contract between Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and IMG-R, owner of the tournament, has been renewed to keep the event in Chennai.
