Chennai, India - Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland earned a three-set win over Belgium's Xavier Malisse to capture the title at the season-opening Chennai Open.
The third-seeded Wawrinka posted a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory in Sunday's final to claim his third career ATP singles crown and first on a surface other than clay. He won in Casablanca last year to end a four-year victory drought, as his first ATP crown came in 2006 at Umag.
Wawrinka improved to 3-6 all-time in title matches and was playing in the Chennai final for the second year in a row. He lost to Marin Cilic last year.
Malisse was trying for his fourth career title and second at this event, having previously won it in 2007. It was the 30-year-old veteran's first final since winning the Delray Beach crown in February 2007. He fell to 3-9 all-time in title matches.
Wawrinka took control of the third set from the outset, winning the first three games with a break of serve. He broke again for 5-1 before holding serve to finish the match.
The victory was worth a first prize of $68,850.
