Italian Jannik Sinner has claimed his landmark first ATP Tour title at the age of just 19 with his hard-fought victory over Vasek Pospisil in the Sofia Open final.

By defeating the experienced 30-year-old Canadian 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-3), Sinner became the youngest winner of a top-tier event since an 18-year-old Kei Nishikori won the Delray Beach Open in 2008.

“It is always special when you win tournaments,” Sinner said on the ATP official site. “I felt well this week. It is special.

“Playing finals like this, 7-6 in the third… is always tough. But when you win like that, it is an even better win than winning 6-1 6-1. It is a very special week for me.”

Sinner, who announced his talent by claiming the NextGen ATP Finals title last year with victory over Australian Alex de Minaur, made the quarter-finals of this year’s French Open and will now move into the world’s top 40 for the first time.

After building on an early break to take the opening set, Sinner moved 1-0 ahead in the second by applying more pressure on Pospisil’s big serve.

The Canadian, though, rallied to immediately break back before then leading himself at 4-2 and going on to close out the set to level the match with a love-service hold.

Sinner regrouped for the decider and edged himself in front during the tiebreak, claiming the title after forcing Pospisil into a long return from the baseline.