Bernard Tomic finds the winner’s circle for the first time in his career on Saturday, as he holds off Kevin Anderson in the Sydney final. Tomic now moves on to the Australian Open, where he could face Roger Federer in the third round.
There was, in fact, no stopping Bernard Tomic. Not at the Apia International, anyway.
Tomic hoisted his first career ATP winner’s trophy–the first of what he predicts will be many–after defeating Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 in the Sydney final on Saturday night. Tomic struck seven aces without double-faulting and did not drop serve a single time as he prevailed in one hour and 55 minutes.
Match highlights:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_aSm25mHg&feature=player_embedded]
The 20-year-old burst out of the gates with no apparent nerves despite having never previously contested a final. He broke right away for a 2-0 lead and did not come close to giving it back throughout the opener, surrendering only seven points in five service games without facing a break point.
Anderson bounced back by showcasing a similar mental strength to what was on display in the semifinals, when he saved two match points to beat Julien Benneteau. Anderson lost a mere two service points–while going 21 for 21 on first-serve points–in the second set and dominated the ensuing tiebreaker.
The trend continued in set three as the 6’8” South African fought off six break points. Finally, however, Anderson cracked at the finish line with a double-fault to donate serve at 3-4. Tomic made no mistake with the match on his racket one game later.
Anderson was competing in his fourth career final. The world No. 36 is now 2-2 lifetime, with titles in Johannesburg (2011) and Delray Beach (2012).
Bernard Tomic quotes during the week
Before the tournament: The way I’ve been playing now, there’s no stopping me
After beating Marinko Matosevic 6-3, 6-4: I didn’t play that good.
After beating Matosevic: My groundstrokes are really good.
After beating Florian Mayer 7-6, 6-2: This match for me was physically nothing.
After beating Mayer: There is talk now that I’m serving really good and my groundstrokes are really good, too. I’m moving really well. There is nothing much more I can ask myself at this stage.
After beating Mayer, talking about his own serve: There’s nothing these players can do.
After beating Jarkko Nieminen 6-7, 6-4, 6-2: The third set was really dominant from my side.
After beating Nieminen: The third set was played really well from me.
After beating Andreas Seppi 7-6, 6-4: it’s about time I really got to one of these finals.
After beating Seppi: I learnt a lot from myself.
After beating Seppi: I’m going to use this advice that I’ve learnt from myself.
On the possibility of playing Roger Federer in Melbourne: It will be an interesting match this time.
After the final: I’m so proud of myself.
After the final: Can’t stop here now. It’s my first title and I know I’ll win a lot more if I keep this attitude up.
After the final: I feel unstoppable.
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Can’t wait for him to fall flat on his arrogant face – only a matter of time.