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By Chris Oddo | Saturday, January 17, 2015

 
Viktor Troicki, Sydney 2015

In the ATP's first ever all-qualifier final, Viktor Troicki downed Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets for career title No. 2.

Photo Source: Getty

The pavement of the long road back for Serbia’s Viktor Troicki is smoothing out ahead of the Australian Open. Less than six months after his return from a one-year drug ban, Troicki finished off his title run at the Apia International in Sydney with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Mikhail Kukushkin in the final.

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"There are a lot of emotions actually," said Troicki, according to the ATP World Tour. "It's been a tough road, a lot of work, and it paid off with a nice title. If I look back to where I was five, six months ago, it's amazing to have a title already.”

Troicki finished off fellow qualifier Kukushkin in 64 minutes, firing 13 aces and converting on four of five break opportunities to race to victory.

It was his second career title in six career finals.

Kukushkin, who had won 14 consecutive sets heading into the final, was bidding for his second ATP title and first since 2010.

“To start the season like that, to win so many matches, to get some confidence, is really important,” he said.

 

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