MUNICH, Dec 11: Few things will lighten up a bad year like a 1.625-million dollar Christmas bonus.

If 1995 began badly for Goran Ivanisevic, it ended with a windfall.

Behind a barrage of 28 aces, Ivanisevic overwhelmed Todd Martin 7-6, 6-3. 6-4 in the final of the Grand Slam Cup Sunday and collected the 1.625 million dollars that goes with the title, reports AP.

It is the biggest winner's prize in tennis.

The 6-million dollars tournament Is the richest in the world and invites 16 players with the best records in the four Grand Slam events of the year — the Australia. French and US Opens.-and Wimbledon.

Ivanisevic. 24. qualified with his semifinal showing in Wimbledon, although he had lost in the first round of the three other events.

The Croatian missed several weeks after undergoing knee surgery In February and

had not won a title on the tour this year, slipping from No 5 in' the rankings to No 10.

Since there are no points to be earned at the Grand Slam Cup. Ivanisevic's ranking will not improve.

Apart from bolstering his bank account the victory is likely to boost Ivanisevic's

morale,

"This year has had many ups and downs and injuries. 1 hope to keen the momentum for next year?" he said.

"I came here without pressure and I was finally, able to play my best tennis in a big final."

Martin, ranked No 18, was unable to repeat his semifinal performance, when he ousted home favourite Boris Becker.

But he refused to blame nagging stomach muscle problems and hand blisters for his lacklustre display. "Goran simply played better today."

Th*.-match between two big servers failed to inspire 11.000 fans In Munich's Olympic hall.

On the very fast carpet surface, the match was reduced to a serve-and-volley slugfest with few rallies.

Ivanisevic, after going a break up in the third set. finished off the match in typical fashion — by blasting four aces in a row.

Martin had to settle for 812.500 dollars given to the runner-up.