Juan Martin Del Potro won his 18th ATP Tour title on Saturday after he ended the reign of defending champion Bernard Tomic of Australia 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Sydney International 2014 tournament.
“Starting the year in this way is very, very positive,” the Argentina said. “I’m looking forward for the rest of the season. I need to still work in the same conditions and the same way. Now it starts the hardest tournament for us, and I will see if I can go farther than last year in Melbourne.”
Del Potro has had success in winning titles as the tournament top seed. This is his fifth consecutive tournament victory as a top seed following wins at Vienna (2012), Washington (2013), Tokyo (2013) and Basel (2013). The world number five received $82,040 plus 250 ranking points while Tomic earns $43,210 and 150 ranking points.
Del Potro now has an impressive 18-7 finals record.
“The finals never are easy, but I was surprised of my level tonight,” said del Potro. “I think I played great. My forehand worked perfectly; I made a lot winners; many aces; I played good slices.
“I think Bernard was a little frustrated after seeing me very focused on the match and hitting the ball so well. He is still young in some moments of the match, but he has everything to win titles, and he will reach finals very, very soon.”
Tomic was gracious in defeat.
“Juan played too good,” he said. “There was nothing I could do. I knew it was going to be like that where either he plays very good or gives me more chances.
“Tonight showed why he’s that quality of a player. So there was nothing I could have done. I tried to keep up, but he kept playing the way he was playing. I haven’t seen a guy play a second set like that. It was too good.”
Tomic, 21, was aiming to defend a title for the first time after he won his first career title in this event a year ago. The Australian now heads to Melbourne for the Australian Open 2014 tournament where he faces a formidable opponent, world number one Rafael Nadal, in the first round.
“I’m obviously heading to Melbourne tomorrow,” said Tomic. “Going to be an amazing match for me on Tuesday against Rafa. I’m going to prepare as best I can. It’s a tough ask. Obviously tonight I wanted to win this championship; couldn’t do it. Juan played too good. Now my focus is on playing Rafa.”
