2011 ABN AMRO World Tennis, Tomas Berdych makes it into quarterfinals
Czech giant, Tomas Berdych, made his way into the quarterfinals today after battling his way past qualifier, Dmitry Tursunov, at the 2011 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Tuesday.
Appearing for the sixth year at the event, fourth seeded, Berdych, was able to surpass his previous career best here as he defeated, Tursunov, to clinch a spot for himself in the final eight. Previously, Berdych had never been able to make it past the second
round.
Already standing at a 4-1 lead in the career head-to-head, Berdych was able to not only extend his lead to 5-1 but also extend his winning streak to four games against the Russian.
However, at one point in time it seemed that the Czech might just meet the fate of second seed, Andy Murray, and third seed, David Ferrer, and exit the event. Surviving a mid match lapse, Berdych was able to do away with the Russian in three sets.
Opening serve in the opener, Berdych scored an impressive 91% winning percentage on his service as opposed to Tursunov’s meagre 68%. Dominating the court and successfully converting one of one break opportunities, Berdych was able to clinch a 6-4 win for
himself.
Leading the set score 1-0, many believed Berdych would clinch the second set to secure a straight sets win for himself. However, the Russian would have nothing of this. Fighting back, Tursunov saved two of two break points and also converted one of one break
opportunities to register a complete reversal of the score and secure a 6-4 win for himself.
With one set to each player, the match entered the decider. Tursunov carried over his form from the second set and Berdych bounced back to make it through. What followed was a neck to neck run between the two. A win each on their service, kept the score
tied for ten games.
Serving in the eleventh, Berdych led the score 6-5, and then breaking Tursunov’s service in the twelfth after two deuces, Berdych, was able to manage a close 7-5 win for himself and his survival in the event.
Taking over two hours, Berdych struck a resounding total of sixteen aces and lost only 12 of 72 points on service as he made his way into the final eight where he will play the eighth seeded Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
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