Wawrinka Beats Baghdatis For Dubai Title

Stan Wawrinka extended his winning streak in finals to nine matches on Saturday by capturing the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title.

Second seed Wawrinka, who hasn’t lost a title match since the 2013 ‘s-Hertogenbosch final (l. to Mahut), defeated Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-6(13) in one hour and 54 minutes for his 13th trophy (13-9 in finals). It was his second ATP World Tour title of the year, following his third straight Chennai title (d. Coric) in January, and his sixth straight victory over fellow 30-year-old Baghdatis.

The Swiss earned 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points and $511,750 in prize money. He has a 13-2 match record in 2016.

Baghdatis, appearing in his 13th tour-level final, ​broke Wawrinka for a 3-2 lead in the first set, but immediately lost his serve to love. At 4-5, Baghdatis battled hard from 0/40, but Wawrinka managed to clinch the 42-minute opener on his fifth set point opportunity.

There were no breaks of serve in the second set, which was decided on a tie-break. Wawrinka took a 4/1 lead, but Baghdatis won five of the next six points. Wawrinka saved five set points at 5/6, 7/8, 8/9, 9/10 and 11/12, while Baghdatis saved three match points at 6/7, 10/11 and 12/13.

World No. 57 Baghdatis, who won his last title at 2010 Sydney (d. Gasquet), is now 4-9 in title matches. The Cypriot takes home 300 points and $240,340.

Wawrinka came within two points of losing to Sergiy Stakhovsky in the first round, which he won 7-5 in the third set. He had previous made first-round exits in 2007 (l. to Federer) and 2008 (l. to Hajek).