ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Tim Henman showed himself to be in good form for the Australian Open with a victory in Sunday's final of the AAPT Championships.
Henman, the top seed from Britain, held off unseeded Australian Mark Philippoussis, 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, in the rain-delayed championship match.
The 27-year-old Henman squandered a 3-1 lead in the second set but claimed his ninth career title and $45,500. He will take this next week off to prepare for the season's first Grand Slam event, which begins in Melbourne on January 14.
"I can't complain about the way I played because there were a lot of aspects I was very pleased with," said Henman after the two hour, 23 minute match.
Philippoussis fell to 4-2 lifetime against Henman and failed to capture his 10th career crown. However, he did gain confidence after undergoing offseason knee surgery last winter.
