Tomic the Steam Engine races down the track

Bernie aims for his first crown at home

FROM THE APIA SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL – Bernard Tomic is saying all the right things, doing the right things and playing the right way. On Friday he reached his first ATP final with a 7-6 (10), 6-4 win over the very competent Andreas Seppi. He had eaten a salad right before the match and his stomach began to cramp midway through the first set. But he hung on, slice and diced, slapped big forehands, flat service winners, and two-handed backhands crosscourt that backed Seppi up.

The Italian was right there with him all day in every aspect of the game except on the big points and the 20 year old, who has ben nicknamed Tomic the Tank engine last fall after his desultory performances on court, has been transformed into Tomic the Steam Engine. He hasn’t lost a match in the last 12 days. In form or in mediocre form he