Stan Wawrinka clinched the 11th title of his career and the fourth trophy of the season at the Rakuten Open ATP 500 Tournament at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo with a 6-2 6-4 win over his French friend Benoit Paire in 65 minutes under closed roof. “Stan the Man” has remained unbeaten in his four finals played this year.
Wawrinka converted all his break point chances, including three in the first set. The Lausanne star broke for the first time in the match in the fourth game for 3-1. Paire broke back in a 10-point fifth game but in a trade of three consecutive breaks Wawrinka got a double break in the sixth game for 4-2. Wawrinka held his serve in the seventh game before getting the third break in the eighth game to take the first set with 6-2 after 26 minutes. Paire won just 24 percent of his first serve points and 31 percent of his second serve points.
World Number 32 Paire, who upset local star Kei Nishikori in the semifinal with 1-6 6-4 6-2, recovered from 0-40 in the third game on Wawrinka’s serve and earned two break point chances in the third game of the second set. However, he failed to convert them. Both players held their serve in a tighter second set until the final game.when Paire served to stay in the match at 4-5. Wawrinka put pressure and got the break when Paire made a double fault on the match point.
Wawrinka won four titles this in Chennai, Rotterdam, Roland Garros and now Tokyo.
“I feel great. It’s been a really good week for me to win a title again. It’s always something special. You don’t win a title every week. It’s always difficult against a good friend like Benoit. I knew before the match he was struggling a bit physically but I saw the doctor who told me Benoit was ready to play. I played my best game today”, said Wawrinka
Paire played with a strapping on his left ankle. “It was not easy when I woke up this morning I could not walk. I was not sure if I could play today. One hour before the match it was very painful. I spoke with the doctor and physiotherapist and we made something for my foot. I couldn’t feel anything in my foot but I tried to do all I could to play the match and win. It’s hars but I could not defend on points. Stan played a very good match and congratulations to him”, said Paire
