Bernard Tomic won his first senior title at the Kooyong Classic Saturday stunning world number eight Mardy Fish 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the final and earning a confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open. The 19-year-old Australian sensation, who is ranked 37 in the world, again showed his promise, following a run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals last summer and a semi-final loss in Brisbane against Andy Murray last week.
"I've never lifted a trophy before at this level," said Tomic. "I'm proud to have my name on a trophy like this. "It's a good feeling and one that I'll always treasure. Hopefully this will help me do well at the Australian Open," said the player, who faces experienced Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the first round.
Victory over the American at the Kooyong Club made Tomic the youngest player to triumph at the event and comes just ahead of the season-opening major, which starts on Monday. "I want to do as well as I can at the Open. There's a lot of pressure. but maybe once - perhaps not this year - I can win that title," he added. Home favourite Tomic admitted he will need his best game to beat Verdasco but was bullish over his chances of progressing. "It's a tough start but I'll come in focused and with confidence that can win. "It's not like playing a major seed in the first round, this is a winnable match."