Barclays ATP World Tour Finals; Tomas Berdych topples Andy Roddick in London
World number six Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic got the better of Andy Roddick in his second round-robin match of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in straight sets on Wednesday. The final score line was 7-5 6-3. The battle concluded
in a time of one hour and twenty-five minutes.
The Monte Carlo resident, who made his debut on the ATP World Tour back in 2002, after losing his opening match of the tournament on a tame note, showed much resilience and presence of mind to cruise past his American opponent
in straight sets in the elite eight-man field in London.
The 25-year-old Berdych is the only contender among the top eight players here who has not won a single title on the tour in 2010. The last time the Czech contested in London, he surpassed Roger Federer on his way to the final
in Wimbledon, at the All England Club.
His fairytale run ended in the final versus the world number one Rafael Nadal and his form has dipped dramatically since then. Therefore, this win offers a final opportunity to end the season on a high note.
The Czech superstar served well throughout the match and blasted six aces to win his second round-robin match in London. He mustered 90% points on his opening serve, earned twenty-eight winners in contrast to Roddick’s fifteen,
and duly converted three out of four break points to seal a convincing win in the end.
The right-hander secured the final break during the twelfth game of the opening set and surged forth. He needed only forty-eight minutes to wrap up the first set. Berdych, who is the top ranked Czech on the ATP tour, played extremely
well under great pressure and denied two break points to his opponent. He won fourteen winners to Roddick’s nine in the first set, which made all the difference in the end.
The 1.96 meters tall earned the break during the fifth game of the decisive set and maintained that lead until the end to post his victory on Wednesday.
Tomas Berdych is a part of the Group A that is highlighted by Novak Djokovic of Serbia, followed by the world number one Rafael Nadal in the second spot.
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