Stan Wawrinka defends Chennai title ahead of Australian Open defence

Stan Wawrinka warmed up for the defence of his Australian Open title by winning the Chennai Open yesterday for a second straight year and for the third time since 2011.

The world No 4 ended Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene’s giant-killing feats with a 6-3, 6-4 win in a 69-minute final.

“This has been a perfect week for me,” said Wawrinka, 29. “I served well and hit the ball good.

“It is amazing to win for the third time here, but I have to continue like this in [the] future also.”

Victory was pleasing for Wawrinka, but he was equally encouraged by his form ahead of his Australian Open title defence, which begins next Monday in Melbourne.

“I am very happy with my game, and I should have good practice when I get to Melbourne in two days time and will be ready when the Open starts,” he said

Wawrinka had followed his win over Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France in last year’s Chennai Open final by beating Rafael Nadal in the Melbourne final three weeks later for his first major title. “Chennai is a lucky charm for sure,” he said. “This is a special place for me and I always enjoy coming back here. I hope I can do as well in Melbourne as I did last year.

“Today was only my second title since last April, so I know I have a long way to go.”

Wawrinka wrapped up the first set in 30 minutes with a break in the sixth game, in which he unleashed two backhands down the line to leave Bedene stranded.

Bedene, hoping to become the first Slovenian to win an ATP Tour title, gifted a break in the seventh game of the second set when he double-faulted and then let Wawrinka smash an easy forehand winner.

Bedene had entered his first Tour final after coming through the qualifiers to defeat three Spanish seeds in Feliciano Lopez, the No 2 seed, Roberto Bautista-Agut, the No 3 seed, and Guillermo Garcia Lopez, the No 5 seed.

“This has to be the best week of my career,” Bedene said. “Maybe I was a bit tired today.

“I could not sleep well last night because I was just thinking of my first final. But then Stan showed what a great player he is. There is a lot to learn from him.”