Chennai Open: Stan Wawrinka a win away from hat-trick

 

That friendship was evident when they squared off in the semi-finals of the ATP Chennai Open here on Saturday. From Wawrinka’s perspective, the 6-3, 6-4 victory was a lot tougher than the scoreline of the 60-minute contest suggested. The Swiss world no. 4 had to play out his skin to extend the head-to-head to 6-1.

 

Paire, who is coming off an outstanding season after winning the ATP Comeback Player of the Year award, could show his sublime form only in patches and to add to his woes the tall Frenchman’s movement was hampered by cramps in the second set. He was wrong-footed on a couple of occasions and also seen stretching his thigh muscles on an advertising hoarding.

 

Despite his off day, Paire produced some stunning strokes and the biggest admirer was his friend across the net. A well-angled backhand crosscourt flew past Wawrinka to kiss the tramline as the top seed stood and clapped in appreciation. Friendly banter followed almost all the HawkEye challenges.

 

“It was important to focus on my game as it was tough to play against someone who knows my game very well. We are always meeting in a big match. 

“Last year, it was the final in Tokyo and now a semifinal here,” said Wawrinka, who served six aces and converted half of his four breakpoints.

 

Continuing his quest for a hat trick of titles here, and a fourth overall, Wawrinka will take on the winner of the other semi-final between Croatian teenager Borna Coric and last year’s runner-up Aljaz Bedene of Great Britain. “It’s going to be a tough match. I have to play my best to retain the title,” said Wawrinka.

 

“So far, I have been playing solid tennis here. I am aggressive and can put a lot of pressure on the opponent. But the most important thing is to not lose the match, and not the set. I don’t mind playing a three-setter and winning,” added Wawrinka, who is yet to drop a set since his quarter-final defeat at the hands of Bedene in 2013.