Stan Wawrinka fought through a 30-minute tiebreaker to outlast Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-6 (15-13) and win a tight final at the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.
The Swiss second seed won his second trophy of the season, after Chennai in January, with his ninth straight success in a final.
Wawrinka has not lost a final since June 2013, and has claimed grand slam trophies in Melbourne and Paris during his run of form.
The 30-year-old Swiss won his sixth match without a loss against Baghdatis from Cyprus, who is without a title since 2010.
“It’s amazing end of week, for sure. It was 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”,” Wawrinka said.
“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 against Marcos. We always play some tough matches.”
Wawrinka lost a 4-1 lead in the second-set tiebreaker in a struggle which lasted almost two hours and is being considered as one of the best in the 24-year history of the event.
Wawrinka saved five set points in the decider and finally claimed the title on his fourth match point as a Baghdatis return landed wide.
“In general the match had a good level,” Wawrinka added. “It’s tough conditions here, with the ball flying. It’s fast, for sure.
“Until six-all in the tiebreak I was always up with mini-break. I did, I think, two double faults and two or three quick mistakes.
“Then it start 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.”
The world number four was proud to have gotten through the battle after coming back to Dubai for the first time since 2008 and getting his first win at the event only this week in the first round.
“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.”
Wawrinka improved to 13-2 on the season while the 57th-ranked Baghdatis stands 7-4. The Swiss now owns 13 career trophies form 22 finals, including the 2014 Australian Open and Roland Garros last summer where he beat Novak Djokovic for the title.
Baghdatis wished it could have ended differently.
“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.
“It’s a small light that I see in the tunnel. 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.”