Stan 'the Man' Wawrinka is poised to make it a three-peat at the Aircel ATP Chennai Open. Wawrinka hammered Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour in the semifinal at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium on Saturday. The top seed won the crown in 2014 and 2015
Stanislas Wawrinka returns to France's Benoit Paire during the Chennai Open semi-final on Saturday
Chennai: Stan 'the Man' Wawrinka is poised to make it a three-peat at the Aircel ATP Chennai Open. Wawrinka hammered Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour in the semifinal at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium on Saturday. The top seed won the crown in 2014 and 2015.
Stanislas Wawrinka returns to France's Benoit Paire during the Chennai Open semi-final on Saturday. Pic/AFP
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Wawrinka will play 19-year-old teenager Borna Coric of Croatia in the title clash. Coric overcame Great Britain's Aljaz Bedene 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a thrilling three-setter which lasted nearly three hours.
"It is never easy to play against Benoit as I know him so well. I was aggressive and I am glad to make it back to the final," said the elated Swiss top seed and World No 4.
Wawrinka served big and struck his backhand beautifully. He didn't have to really break a sweat as Paire was a little off colour.
"I was really happy with my service. I haven't dropped a set this week and last year also I won the title without losing a set. I am confident about my prospects in the final."
Wawrinka served six aces and overall won an impressive 60 per cent points on his first serve.
'Coric will be tough'
"Coric will be a very tough opponent in the final as he hits the ball very hard. I will have to play my best tennis in the final," noted the 30-year-old.
The Swiss was very impressed with India's rising star Ramkumar Ramanathan's game. "He has a big forehand and he is a fighter. He moves well and I am sure with more experience he is bound to become a much better player."