Viktor Troicki defends Sydney International title with Grigor Dimitrov win

Serbia's Viktor Troicki successfully defended his Sydney International title after edging Grigor Dimitrov in a thrilling final on Saturday.

The third-seeded Troicki fought back from a set down to win on his second match point 2-6 6-1 7-6 (9-7) in an absorbing battle which lasted over two hours on Ken Rosewall Arena.

Tough 29-year-old Troicki, who won the title as a qualifier last year, claimed his third career title and secured his first victory over the former Wimbledon semi-finalist in three meetings.

"What a match! We really fought until the end," said Troicki who will now head to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year with his confidence sky high.

"I guess I was just a bit more lucky at the end but this is the game of tennis, sometimes you have luck and sometimes you don't."

In a magnificent tussle, the deciding set lasted 83 minutes as both players manoeuvred for openings in long, exciting rallies with both players having their chances to win the match and the title.

Troicki, who looked leaden-footed in the opening set, finished strongly and won the decisive tie-break with a brilliant backhand across court.

Troicki faces Spaniard Daniel Munoz de la Nava in the opening round of the Australian Open, while Dimitrov, who reached a career high No 8 in the world in 2014, plays Italian Paolo Lorenzi.

We will bring you all the news, views and reaction from the Australian Open starting on Monday 18th January.