Stan Wawrinka claims second career title with Casablanca success

HEAD racquet rebel Stanislas Wawrinka created some personal tennis history only weeks after the February birth of daughter Alexis as he won the Casablanca Open title. The 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow HEAD player Victor Hanescu of Romania marked the second career title for Wawrinka, playing with a YouTek Prestige MP, His infant daughter turned two months old the day after the win in North Africa. Wawrinka added the Casablanca title to his other ATP success in summer, 2006, on clay in Umag/Croatia.

“I'm very happy with my win today. I've lost five finals in a row and now finally I have the trophy in my hands," said Wawrinka. "I felt great during the whole match and never allowed Victor to get into the game. I think this was my best match of the week. This is a great start to the clay court season and I hope to continue like that. I look forward to next week in Monte Carlo where my wife and daughter will travel with me for the first time."

The Swiss got off to a great start in his pre-Roland Garros campaign, breaking his HEAD stablemate four times in the 77-minute struggle. Wawrinka was denied as he lost serve while holding a lead of a set and 5-1 as Hanescu clawed back towards contention.

"Today Stan was just too good for me," said Hanescu. "It's still a week of good tennis and it was great to play in front of full crowds here in Casablanca in this great atmosphere."

Wawrinka, a member of the Top-10 in 2008, will take his No. 23 ranking higher after never losing before the third round at any tournament this season and now standing a perfect 12-0 against non-Top 20 players. Wawrinka's win marked a turn in his fortunes in ATP finals after five of his first six.

Hanescu had a successful week as he defeated Finn Jarkko Nieminen and Richard Gasquet on the way to the title match.