MELBOURNE: Frenchman Gilles Simon wrapped up his stay at the Kooyong Classic on Thursday with a concluding win over Serb Filip Krajinovic 6-4, 6-3.
The world number 20 now heads to Melbourne Park for final practice prior to the Monday start of the Australian Open.
After a slow start at the Brisbane International last week due to a series of back and knee problems, Simon feels he is approaching full fitness just in time.
The French player's win came in relegation-round match play at the eight-man special event, a key tune-up for the first major of the season.
"I played much better today than yesterday," he said. "And conditions were better so that helped.
"I'm happy to win this match and take come confidence into the Open. It's been tough for me physically since coming to Australia. But things are getting better."
The 96th-ranked Krajinovic showed his lack of big-match experience, with the 22-year-old broken in the second game of the contest.
Conditions were much tamer after the swirling winds which limited shotmaking at Kooyong Club on Wednesday, when the tournament began a day late after a rain-off.
Simon claimed the first set in 34 minutes after losing his break in the fifth game but getting it back as he converted on a second set point to claim the opener 6-4 with a forehand winner.
In the second set, Simon broke for 4-2 and was forced to struggle in the final game as Krajinovic saved two match points before pushing a forehand long after 76 minutes.
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