PERTH - A tired Bernard Tomic felt like he had just played a nine-set monster after fighting back to secure a 4-6 6-3 6-2 win against Italy's Andreas Seppi at the Hopman Cup tennis classic on Tuesday.
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But it wasn't enough to lift Australia to victory, with Italy winning the deciding mixed doubles to end the home nation's title hopes.
Tomic was feeling the effects of a heavy training load after practising for five hours on Monday and a further two hours before he took on Seppi.
The gruelling schedule took its toll on Tomic as he conceded the first set.
But the 21-year-old dug into his reserves to turn the tables, with his win levelling the tie at 1-1 after Sam Stosur had earlier crashed to a 6-4 6-4 loss to Flavia Pennetta.
Italy won the mixed doubles 6-3 6-4.
Stosur said she was frustrated but not despondent after consecutive singles defeats. - AAP
