Backing up his first Major title in Australia in January, Stanislas Wawrinka, of Switzerland, beat his countryman Roger Federer to win his first Masters 1000 title in Monaco today, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2.
As the two men are friends, Davis Cup teammates, and co-winners of the 2008 Olympic gold medal in doubles, the match started a little tentatively, and rather lacking in kill shots. Federer took the first set on the strength of one early break. In the second, Wawrinka drew the first break, but Federer broke back immediately, and so it was decided in a tiebreak, which Stan took hold of with the first mini-break and never relinquished control from there. He carried that aggressive attitude into the third set, going up two breaks immediately, for a 4-0 lead before Federer held serve. Wawrinka served it out at 5-2.
With the win, Wawrinka retains the No. 3 slot in the world rankings, as well as his claim to the Swiss No. 1 spot.