Nalbandian captures Medibank trophy

SYDNEY, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Argentina's David Nalbandian outlasted Finn Jarkko Nieminen in three sets Saturday for the Medibank International championship in Sydney.

Nalbandian battled to a 6-3, 6-7 (9-11), 6-2 decision on the weekend before the players go to the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam.

The win was Nalbandian's 10th on the ATP Tour.

"It's very good," the Argentine said. "Winning a tournament before (the open) is almost perfect."

Nalbandian was seeded No. 4 and Nieminen was unseeded in the Sydney event.