Consistent Novak Djokovic trumps Tomas Berdych in London
Serbian Novak Djokovic impressed at the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday, overcoming Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6–3 6–3.
Djokovic, whose third place in the ATP Rankings could be claimed by Robin Soderling or Andy Murray over the course of the season's final event, turned in a performance far superior to that of sixth-ranked Berdych.
"When you have a first appearance at such a big tournament it's not easy to handle the pressure and expectations, and you could feel that, especially at the start of the match," Djokovic said after overcoming his initial nerves and completing the victory
in just under 90 minutes. "I was trying to focus on my game and do the things I planned to do tactically with my coach, and I couldn't ask for a better start to the tournament."
Djokovic breaks immediately
Despite his commanding physical presence, Berdych failed to pounce on his serve throughout the match, starting in the very first game.
Two double-faults provided the worst possible start for the Czech as Djokovic's forehand strokes proved enough for the world number three to break straight away.
But Berdych denied the Serb an easy hold in the second, as the game lingered in a deuce until Djokovic could finally go up to a 2–0 lead.
That lead could have been extended by another break, but Berdych defended four break points in the third game to hold his first game of the match.
As the encounter calmed down, both players held their service games with conviction until Djokovic found himself a game away from claiming the opener at 5–3.
And the world number three left his second break to the last game of the set, pressuring Berdych to hit a backhand into the net as Djokovic gained momentum.
Berdych falters early in the second
In the second set, Berdych again failed to hold his first service game as Djokovic, who is set to lead Serbia as his national team takes on France in next week's Davis Cup Final, earned a 3–0 lead.
By the time the Czech's confidence returned, it was too late to save the decider.
Berdych held his remaining games but failed to break his opponent, whose reliable delivery failed to earn him a break at 5–2 but let him seal the win in the following game.
Round two in Group B will be played on Wednesday 24 November.
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