ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Michael Llodra suffered a 6-4, 6-0 beating at the hands of Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia Sunday in the final of the $380,000 AAPT Championship.
"I was a little bit scared about how loose I was," Hrbaty said. "I wasn't nervous at all. I had no tension and I was able to play so many great approaches, great returns."
Llodra, a native of France, beat three seeds in reaching the final of the hardcourt tournament, but he dropped the first nine points and last eight games.
"Even though I lost, I still feel very positive because this is a good start to the year for me," said Llodra, who was seeking his first title. The lefthander was just 2-10 in singles play last year, although he did win the 2003 Australian Open doubles title with compatriot Fabrice Santoro.
Hrbaty, playing in his ninth career final, collected $52,000 in preparation for the Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round two years ago.
