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Top-seeded Wawrinka wins Japan Open for 4th title of year
Fourth title: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland kisses the championship trophy after defeating Benoit Paire of France in the championship match of the Japan Open menâs tennis tournament in Tokyo, Sunday
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Fourth title: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland kisses the championship trophy after defeating Benoit Paire of France in the championship match of the Japan Open menâs tennis tournament in Tokyo, Sunday. (AP/Eugene Hoshiko) (AP/Eugene Hoshiko)
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span class="inline inline-center">Fourth title: Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland kisses the championship trophy after defeating Benoit Paire of France in the championship match of the Japan Open men's tennis tournament in Tokyo, Sunday. (AP/Eugene Hoshiko)
French Open champion Stan Wawrinka defeated Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday to win the Japan Open for his career-best fourth title of the season.
The top-seeded Wawrinka was in control from the outset and secured the win in 65 minutes when the unseeded Paire double-faulted on match point.
"I was playing my best game today," said Wawrinka, who has won all four finals he's appeared in this year. "I was feeling the ball well and playing really aggressively so I'm very happy with the way I played."
In addition to Roland Garros, Wawrinka has won titles this season at Chennai and Rotterdam. He improved to 5-1 against Paire, who upset local favorite Kei Nishikori in the semifinals.
Paire, who struggled with a sore left ankle, was broken four times and committed 12 unforced errors in the match.
"When I woke up this morning I couldn't walk," Paire said. "One hour before the match it was very painful so I said 'what can we do?' I spoke with the physiotherapist and we got an anesthesia for my foot. I couldn't feel anything in my foot and it's tough to move when you don't feel your foot."
Wawrinka is the first Swiss winner in Tokyo since Roger Federer in 2006. In winning the Japan Open he adds his name to a list of champions that includes Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras and John McEnroe.
"It's a big tournament for me," Wawrinka said. "You've had some amazing winners here over the past. I got a lot of support here all this week and to add this title is very important for me." (**)
