MANILA, Philippines – Stanislas Wawrinka held firm in a match of high drama to defeat an injured Rafael Nadal and win the Australian Open. The eight-seed roared to a two-set lead after top-seed Nadal struggled with an apparent back injury sustained in the second set. But the Swiss was left stunned as his opponent was suddenly revived in the third set at the Rod Laver Arena. Nadal fought back into the match with a barrage of clean hitting, but Wawrinka recovered, stayed cool when it counted and served strongly to seal his maiden Grand Slam title. Wawrinka is now third in the world rankings and is Switzerland’s number one after a career spent in Roger Federer’s shadow. -- Mornings @ ANC, January 27, 2014.