Tennis: Lendl wins at last to bring fresh optimism: American seeks Melbourne seed

IVAN LENDL won his first tournament in six months by beating Todd Martin in Tokyo yesterday to retain the Seiko Super men's title.

The former world No 1 won 6-4, 6-4, bringing some respite to his worst season in a decade, which has included nine first-round exits. The victory also brought the Czech-born player some optimism for next year.

'It's important because I decided to play two more tournaments this year to try to get some points to be seeded in the Australian Open and start afresh in a good position,' Lendl said.

Martin beat Lendl in the first round of the Australian Indoor Championships last week but yesterday a series of accurate returns kept him from the net.

Once Lendl took the lead in the fifth game he never looked back, hitting 11 aces and numerous service winners.

Lendl became more determined as the match proceeded, conceding only three points on his serve in the second set.

'I was having trouble holding my serve in the first set - there were three or four tight games - but all of a sudden I started serving better,' Lendl said.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 31