del Potro wins Sydney title

REFLECTING COACH’S FORTUNES: Kei Nishikori — who clinched the Kooyong Classic title beating Tomas Berdych — emulated Michael Chang’s success at the tournament in the past.

Juan Martin del Potro served notice of his strong form ahead of the Australian Open when he crushed defending champion Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-1 in the final of the Apia International here on Saturday.

del Potro simply overpowered the talented but inconsistent Australian bringing the one-sided contest to a close with a service winner after 53 minutes.

Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi had to be content with a runners-up finish after losing 7-6(3), 7-6(3) to Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic.

John Isner claimed his second Heineken Open title at Auckland, hitting 23 aces on his way to a 7-6(4), 7-6(7) victory over Yen-Hsun Lu in the final. Kei Nishikori was also a winner beating world No. 7 Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 to win the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament.

The results (finals):

At Sydney: ATP Apia International: Men: Singles: Juan Martin del Potro bt Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles: Daniel Nestor & Nenad Zimonjic bt Rohan Bopanna & Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi 7-6(3), 7-6(3)

At Auckland: ATP Heineken Open: John Isner bt Lu Yen-Hsun 7-6(4), 7-6(7).

At Melbourne: Kooyong Classic: Kei Nishikori bt Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5.

At Hobart: WTA Hobart International: Garbine Muguruza bt Klara Zakopalova 6-4, 6-0.