Staw Wawrinka delighted with 'best performance' to claim Dubai Championships
Sunday 28 February 2016 14:30, UK
Stan Wawrinka says it was a relief to come through an epic tie break to claim the Dubai Championships title and felt the final was his best performance of the week.
The Swiss ace, who will close the gap on world No 3 Roger Federer when the latest rankings list is published on Monday, was up against Marcos Baghdatis and despite some typically flamboyant stroke play from the Cypriot, Wawrinka's greater consistency saw him through.
However Baghdatis proved a tough nut to crack in a second set before second seed Wawrinka came through 15-13 in a marathon tiebreaker that provided some of the best tennis, and certainly most dramatic of the match.
"Until six-all in the tiebreak I was always up with a mini-break. I did I think two double faults and two or three, three quick mistakes," Wawrinka said.
"Then it started to be all about nerves - 6-6, 7-7, 10-10. You try to stay there, try to play simple, aggressive. It and was good to finish it in two sets.
"It's an amazing end of week, for sure. It was a tough beginning, but I was always trying to fight, always trying to improve day by day even if I wasn't playing great at the beginning. I'm really happy to have another trophy. It's an amazing feeling, especially today as I was playing some really good tennis. It was a tough final."
It is Wawrinka's second title of the season and continues a remarkable run in finals, he has now won each of his last nine stretching back to June 2013.
"I've had a great run at finals. When I get to them I really want to win. You are carrying a lot of confidence from during the week," he added.
"I've always wanted to come back to Dubai, I was last here a long time ago. I lifted my level during the week and improved every day."
For Baghdatis it was a welcome return to the spotlight with just a second ATP final since 2011 - but the search for a first title in more than six years goes on having now lost each of his last five finals.
"I'm happy I'm back and playing this kind of tennis now. It's just to continue improving, and play at this level throughout the year," the Cypriot said.
"I was a bit unlucky in the tiebreaker, that was the difference. But more matches throughout the year at this level would make me go in there and believe from the beginning that I can win, not wait three, four games and start believing.
"I'm playing very good tennis. This week I think I was a bit lucky, but I also found a way to win. I didn't win the tournament but I won a lot more - I won my confidence back."
