Gael Monfils secured the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam by beating Stan Wawrinka in three sets on Sunday.
Frenchman Monfils won 6-3 1-6 6-2 to lift the Rotterdam Open trophy in the Netherlands, beating 2015 winner Wawrinka – a feat which will help move him up to 23 in the world rankings when the new standings are announced on Monday.
The 32-year-old took charge of the opening set, winning it in just 36 minutes, before three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka impressively responded in the second to even the match up.
However, the Swiss star could not cope in the decider and Monfils eventually over-powered him to secure the title, the eighth of his career.
Afterward, Monfils paid tribute to Wawrinka, who is a close friend, revealing the pair had worked together a lot on the practice courts recently.
He said: “Stan, you know I love you. You’re my brother. This win is a part of him. We have been practicing a lot, we’ve been talking a lot during the winter.
“You told me that if I didn’t win one of the tournaments you would stop practising with me. Sorry I beat you in the final.”
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