The former world number 12 had a scorching two set win over Kazakhstan's top ranked player Mikhail Kukushkin in what was the first final contested by two qualifiers in ATP history.

Troicki said it was a very emotional win after going through "my toughest time in life".

"It's been a tough road, a lot of work, and it paid off with a nice title," Troicki said after the match held at the Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday.

"It's very painful when you know you're innocent and they punish you for something that you know you didn't do anything wrong. That hurt a lot, and I will never forget that. I mean, they went after my career and they wanted to ruin it on court."

Troicki is still on the comeback trail after serving a 12-month suspension for failing to take a blood test on time at the Monte Carlo Masters event in 2013.

The 28-year-old claimed that a doctor advised him that he could take the blood test the following morning without being penalised.

He made his return to professional tennis in July 2014 ranked 847 but has steadily climbed the ranks to compete at the tournament as world No. 92. With the Sydney International title in his grips, Troicki will be catapulted to a ranking in the mid 50s.

The Serb stamped his authority on the match early, acing Kukushkin three times and surviving a break point to hold in the first game. The set remained on serve until a missed drop shot and volley into the net by Kukushkin allowed Troicki to take the break in the sixth game

A racquet change by Kukushkin did little to help seize back the momentum, with Troicki holding his serve to love to consolidate his lead.

Troicki made his second consecutive break to win the opener 6-2 in just 29 minutes. Kukushkin had not dropped a set in his previous seven straight matches.

A fierce Troicki continued to power through the second set, holding his first two service games to love and breaking Kukushkin in the fourth game to open a 4-1 lead.

Kukushkin, who suffered a hip injury and had to undergo surgery twice in 2012, took a medical break to receive treatment on his left quad.

Despite hampered movement he made a gallant return to the court, holding his serve and taking his own break for the first time in the match.

But an unstoppable Troicki, who was defeated for the title in the final by Frenchman Gilles Simon in 2011, kept his nerve and broke again to serve for the match. He ended the evening as he had begun it - acing Kukushkin to take the set 6-3.

Troicki thanked his coach, team and supporters for sticking by him and said he looked at his return as a second chance and a second career.

"They stayed with me when I had time off. They were by my side and we worked hard and they believed in me always. This really  means a lot to me. They help me a lot," Troicki said.

"I Iook back where I was like five, six months ago it's amazing to have a title already. So it's really nice moment for me and for all my team."

Kukushkin, who is ranked 66 in the world, said it was a "disappointing" final and he had found it difficult playing eight games in a row.

"I had surgery for both my hips three years ago, two and a half years ago, and it's tough for me, especially when I play a lot of matches in a row.  Like here I played eight days in a row," Kukushkin said.

The 27-year-old, who is coached by his wife Anastasia Kukushkina, said it was "tough to say" if he would have recovered in time for first Australian Open match in Melbourne on Monday.

"Of course I hope I will be able to recover. Of course when I play eight days in a row it's tough. But I will have day off tomorrow and fly to Melbourne.  I will have a match already on Monday. I don't know. Honestly, I don't know."