2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals: Review – Rafael Nadal versus Tomas Berdych
Group A singles action entered its last day on Friday at the O2 Arena, London. Playing in the afternoon was Spanish phenomenon Rafael Nadal as he met Czech Tomas Berdych.
Playing the Czech for the seventh time on hard courts, Nadal was able to take a one-match lead as he defeated Berdych in their matchup today. Before this, there head-to-head score had been tied at 3-3 on hard courts. However, after
this match Rafa still commands a 9-3 lead in their career head-to-head score. Meeting for the third time this season, this was Rafa’s eighth straight win over the Czech. In fact, Berdych has been unable to defeat the Spaniard since 2007. Their most recent
meeting this year was at the final of the Wimbledon Championship where Nadal enjoyed a straight set win over the Czech.
Having no title to his name, it was in fact the final appearance at Wimbledon and a semi final appearance at Roland Garros that earned Berdych the season finale qualification this year. Making his debut this year, Berdych is the
only professional to come into the event with no title wins this season. Nadal, on the other hand, enjoys the most title wins this year. He currently holds seven titles to his name including three Grand Slams; Wimbledon, Roland Garros and United States Open.
In a match that lasted almost two hours, the Spaniard defeated the Czech in two sets with the final match score being 7-6(3), 6-1. Winning the toss, Berdych won the opener to take a 1-0 lead. Rafa, however, was in full form today.
Not wanting to give up the lead, Nadal followed Berdych closely at the heels keeping the score levelled at all times. With each player winning a game on their service and not being able to break their opponent’s service, the first set was soon tied at 6-6
taking it into a tiebreaker. Before Berdych won the twelfth game, Rafa got into a little argument with the umpire over a Hawkeye result. Expecting a replay of the point, Rafa was upset when the umpire awarded Berdych the point.
Entering the tiebreak, Nadal was quick to take the lead as he led 2-0. Berdych managed to bag two points for himself as well, but Nadal was already two points up leading by 4-2. Winning only one point in the next four points, Berdych
lost the tiebreaker 3-7 to the Spaniard. With a one set lead in the match, Nadal qualified into the semis regardless of the outcome of the match. Berdych, on the other hand, needs a one set win at least to stay in the running. However, the second set went
by in a blur. Although Berdych managed to tie the score at 1-1 in the fourteenth game, this was as far as he went. The Czech failed to win another game losing five consecutive games to Rafa. Nadal, enjoying a bread stick win over the Czech, moved to a 6-1
set win-loss mark in the event.
Talking about his match with Berdych, Nadal commented, "It's a very important victory. Congratulations to Tomas for the season. I have played every day a little better and today was a great match against a very difficult opponent.
The umpire was wrong - but maybe it was me!"
Although the Czech ends the season with no title wins, he does hold the sixth position in the ATP World Rankings. Owing to a final appearance at the Wimbledon and the Miami Masters and a semi final appearance at the Roland Garros,
Berdych ends the season with a win-loss mark of 45-25. Tennis action for Rafa is not over though; as he goes on to face local favourite Andy Murray in the semi final on Saturday.
Tags: