Tomic wins first ATP title in Sydney

SYDNEY, Jan 12 (AFP) - Rising Australian star Bernard Tomic clinched his first ATP Tour title with a fighting win over South African Kevin Anderson in the final of the Sydney International on Saturday.

Tomic claimed his eighth straight win of the year in downing the 36th-ranked Anderson 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes, setting himself up for the Australian Open, which begins Monday, and saying he felt "unstoppable". Tomic is the first Australian winner of the Sydney tournament since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 and the first 20-year-old event winner since Roger Federer in 2002.

"I couldn't ask for anything more. It's an amazing feeling," Tomic said.

"Now that I know what it feels like to win a tournament, and it's the best feeling in the world.

"I'm so happy I won. I can't stop here now. Now I've got to look to the next tournament and keep playing the tennis I've been playing."

He will head the Australian Open in Melbourne with his ranking down to 43 and with a chance of facing the 17-time Grand Slam champion and second seed Federer in the third round.