AUCKLAND: Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo capped a "crazy ride" by winning the Auckland Classic on Saturday, beating Taro Daniel 6-2, 7-5 in a final between two tournament outsiders.
World number 82 Tabilo bagged his maiden ATP title, which he says will deliver an injection of confidence heading into the Australian Open after two years of pain and frustration.
The 26-year-old's only other final appearance came on clay at the Cordoba Open in 2022, before his career path took a downward spiral.
"It honestly feels surreal right now. I'm so happy, very emotional, I never thought we were going to be here in the final," he said.
"Last year was tough, even two years ago we made the final of Cordoba and from there we were going up and we had a little almost stress fracture on my arm.
"We had to stop that year and work back up. It's been a lot of injuries... it's been a crazy ride."
Canadian-born left-hander Tabilo played with greater power than his Japanese opponent, sending down 10 aces while also pulling off three breaks of serve to none.
Two breaks came in the first set which he dominated, before Tabilo pulled off the lone break in game 12 of a tense second set to seal victory between two players who have never been ranked inside the top 60.
Daniel, 30, was chasing a second ATP title, having last won nearly six years ago at the Istanbul Open.
The world number 74's path to the final included a semi-final upset of top-seeded American Ben Shelton.
Tabilo had the fortune of a walkover quarter-final win against second-seeded Briton Cameron Norrie, before toppling French sixth seed Arthur Fils in straight sets.
Tabilo is drawn to face Aleksandar Kovacevic in the opening round at the Australian Open while Daniel will also face an American first up, Chris Eubanks. --AFP