Bernard Tomic is on the verge of defending his Apia International title but standing in the way of a successful title defence is world number five Juan Martin Del Potro. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
Tomic’s performance tonight against Del Potro should provide fans with a key glimpse as to whether or not the Australian is a chance of upsetting Rafael Nadal in the opening round of the Australian Open next week.
Tomic will certainly have to be at his aggressive best if he is a chance of upsetting a player capable of matching the very best the ATP tour has to offer.
On his day, Del Potro can beat anyone. His forehand shot is generally recognised as the biggest shot in the men’s game, capable of blowing any player off the court.
In the Shanghai Masters last year, Del Potro bullied Nadal into submission en route to a straight sets victory that ranked as one of the most impressive performances from any player on the ATP tour last year.
If he shows up with that type of form tonight, Del Potro will be very difficult to defeat.
Tomic however remains a solid bet of upsetting the Argentine given that Del Potro can struggle to hit top gear in his matches.
Despite making the final this week, Del Potro has rarely gotten out of first or second gear and is not hitting the ball with the power that usually sees him ranked as a real darkhorse in grand slam tournaments.
In short, Del Potro usually starts his matches slowly and this is where Tomic needs to pounce.
The Australian has to come out playing aggressive and deny Del Potro the opportunity to settle into any rhythm, particularly from the forehand side.
If Tomic can break early and employ his strong forehand, Del Potro is known to lose his way in matches when momentum is against him.
Like most players in the top five on the ATP rankings however, Del Potro is a master front runner and will put Tomic away if he races out of the blocks, especially if he finds his range early with the forehand.
With both players in good form, this should be a very entertaining final with plenty of winners from both players.
While Tomic will certainly rise to the occasion in front of a big crowd, Del Potro’s experience in finals may see him play his best here en route to victory.
Del Potro in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic was bullied tonight against Del Potro who showcased the form that should see him compete well into the second week of the Australian Open. Del Potro was ruthless from the forehand side. He produced 20 winners and just 4 unforced errors in the entire match. He rattled Tomic big time, who began producing too many unforced errors in a bid to negate Del Potro's massive firepower. Del Potro has hit form at the right time here. Tomic has to lick his wounds here and get ready for Nadal. Great performance from Del Potro. Tomic still with a lot to learn. Thanks for your company tonight and join us next week for the Australian Open! Del Potro 6 6 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND CHAMPIONSHIP DEL POTRO - Del Potro with 20 winners and 4 unforced errors and he produces another ace to seal the deal here! Del Potro 6 6 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro with another ace and he now has championship point...masterclass Del Potro 6 5 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro too good with the serve and forehand yet again and its 15 all. 30-15 now Del Potro 6 5 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro serving for the championship now. He is also serving a warning to the rest of the men's field here at the Aus Open. Tomic with a strong backhand down the line for 0-15 Del Potro 6 5 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK DEL POTRO - Del Potro with a whipping forehand winner around Tomic who was at the net! That is too good. World class from Del Potro! Gee he will be a huge danger as he breaks again! Del Potro 6 5 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the forehand again and its 0-15. Del Potro smells blood. Tomic wide with the backhand and its 0-30 Del Potro 6 4 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic being given a reality check by Del Potro at the moment. The Australian still has a long way to go to match the big game experience of someone like Del Potro who has truly risen to the occasion here Del Potro 6 4 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the backhand and Del Potro leads 4-1 now in the second set Del Potro 6 4 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro with another ace out wide and its 40-0. Del Potro taking Tomic to school now. Tomic returns down the line for a winner and its 40-15 Del Potro 6 3 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Fair to say that Del Potro at this stage has left his best performance for the final here. He has been ruthless and clinical thus far. Tomic with a backhand slice but he nets it again Del Potro 6 3 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK DEL POTRO - Del Potro too good with the forehand again and he breaks again. Tomic in real trouble now! Del Potro 6 3 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic gets things back to deuce and does just enough with the forehand to jam Del Potro. Tomic just wide with the forehand and its another break point. Del Potro 6 2 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro with a great point there and he finishes things off with a forehand down the line after defending very well. Tomic challenges the call but the ball is inside the line! break point Del Potro 6 2 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic with a good serve and forehand combination for 30-15. Del Potro with another strong forehand winner and its 30 all Del Potro 6 2 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Tomic nets the backhand and its 0-15. Unforced errors are killing him here. That and Del Potro's forehand. Tomic with a forehand there down the line for 15 all Del Potro 6 2 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro too good at the moment as he unleashes with the forehand and puts away the easy volley. The Argentine in great form here. He holds Del Potro 6 2 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro with an ace down the tee for 30 all. Tomic wide with the backhand on a big point. Game point Del Potro Del Potro 6 1 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro goes long with the forehand again and its 15-30. Tomic reading the Del Potro serve better now. Del Potro 6 1 Tomic 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro goes long with the forehand after Tomic defended well. 0-15. Del Potro with another strong serve and forehand combination for 15 all Del Potro 6 1 Tomic 3 1