Tomic wins first ATP title

SYDNEY, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Bernard Tomic defeated Kevin Anderson in three sets Saturday at the Apia International in Sydney for his first ATP title.

Tomic, in his first championship match, got by Anderson 6-3, 7-6 (2-7), 6-3 without dropping serve. His breaks in the first and third sets were the difference in the match in which both players won 92 points.

As close as that was, Tomic forced 11 break points on Anderson while saving the only break points he faced. Tomic lost only six points on serve in five games serving in the third set.

Anderson had 13 aces and just two double faults but the second double fault set up an eighth-game break for Tomic in the final set and he served out from there.

"I feel unstoppable," Tomic said. "I feel like I'm playing great tennis. It's amazing stepping on court. You're so confident. That's going to be taken down to Melbourne and I'm going to use that for every match I play there."

The "Melbourne" reference is to the Australian Open, which begins Monday. Tomic opens the year's first Grand Slam event against Leonard Mayer while Anderson goes against Paolo Lorenzi.

Tomic collected $78,800 along with his first title. Anderson, who won $41,540 as runner-up, is now 2-2 in ATP finals.