Tomic to play for first title against Anderson

Bernard Tomic of Australia hits a return to Andreas Seppi of Italy during their men's singles semi-final match at the Sydney International tennis tournament, Jan 11, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Australian youngster Bernard Tomic will emulate Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer if he can win his first ATP Tour title after reaching the Sydney International final on Friday.

Tomic reached his first final with a 7-6 (10), 6-4 win over Italian third seed Andreas Seppi in sweltering heat to set up a decider against South African Kevin Anderson on Saturday.

Tomic will bid to become the first Australian winner of the event since Hewitt in 2005 and the first 20-year-old winner since Federer in 2002.

It is Tomic's seventh straight win of the new year - three of them at the mixed teams Hopman Cup, including a triumph in Perth over world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

"It's the start for me. It's going to be a big match. I'm grateful for this opportunity. I think I've got a good shot to win it," Tomic said.

"Obviously I've played Kevin once and won. He does serve well and he's a difficult player, but with the tennis I've been playing now I'm really confident. I'll be ready to go tomorrow night."

Anderson earlier fought off two match points to deny Frenchman Julien Benneteau victory and become the first South African to make the Sydney final.

The 36th-ranked Anderson won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8) in two hours, 23 minutes.

Tomic struggled during a tough first set against Seppi and called for the trainer at 6-5 complaining of dizziness.

"It was really hot, but it wasn't the heat that was affecting me. It was just the dizziness. I think maybe because I ate too soon prior to coming out on court," he said.