Swiss tennis star Stan Wawrinka held off an injured Rafael Nadal of Spain Sunday to win the Australian Open in Melbourne - the first of four Grand Slam events of the year.
Eight-seeded Wawrinka took the first two sets, 6-3, 6-2, and appeared to be on the way to an easy win as Nadal was suffering from a back injury. Nadal took a medical timeout and came back refreshed to win the third set, 6-3. But the 28-year-old Wawrinka took the third set, 6-3, to earn his first majors title.
The Swiss player had never before taken a single set off Nadal in 12 previous meetings.
China's Li Na won the women's title on Saturday.
Eight-seeded Wawrinka took the first two sets, 6-3, 6-2, and appeared to be on the way to an easy win as Nadal was suffering from a back injury. Nadal took a medical timeout and came back refreshed to win the third set, 6-3. But the 28-year-old Wawrinka took the third set, 6-3, to earn his first majors title.
The Swiss player had never before taken a single set off Nadal in 12 previous meetings.
China's Li Na won the women's title on Saturday.