Alice Springs NT, Australia, 23 September 2017 | David Packman

In the typically hot and windy conditions we’ve come to expect in Alice Springs, top seed Maverick Banes has earned his first title in nearly a year, defeating 21-year-old Tasmanian Harry Bourchier 7-5 7-6(5) in Saturday’s final.

Banes, 25, was tested early as his younger third-seeded opponent secured an early break, but the Queenslander fought back strongly to take the opening set before closing out the match in a second set tiebreaker.

“It was good to get it done in straight sets,” Banes said. “Harry was playing well but I managed clawed my way back into it and then get on top. I was able to just switch on and started competing a little bit more every point.

“It’s the first time I’ve been top seed in a tournament so luckily I lived up to it.”

The world No. 378 last won a title in Wollongong back in November last year.

Banes has recently recovered from a niggling knee injury but points to his recent five-week training block as the right opportunity for him to fully recover.

“I needed to get that right before I had a crack at a few more tournaments,” he said.

“It’s really good to start the Pro Tour with a win,” he added. “Hopefully I can keep it going over the next few weeks and win a few more matches. I’m just taking it week by week but it’s nice to get a few points early and take a bit of pressure off rankings-wise.

“The best thing for sure is that I will take a lot of confidence out of this.”

Alice Springs Tennis International runner-up Bourchier also enjoyed a good tournament, a highlight his three-set win over second seed Bradley Mousley in Friday’s semifinal.

Earlier, the doubles title was taken out by top seeds Dane Propoggia and Scott Puodziunas, 6-4 6-4 winners over No.2 seeds Mousley and Darren Polkinghorne.

The men’s Pro Tour now moves to Brisbane with qualifying rounds underway this weekend.

Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available through www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores and for a live stream of selected events visit www.tennis.com.au/protour.