Tomas Berdych cripples Radek Stepanek in second round - Shanghai Rolex Masters 2011
Tomas Berdych, Czech World No.7, clobbered former world No.8 and compatriot, Radek Stepanek, on Wednesday, 12th October, in straight sets of the 2011 Shanghai Rolex Masters 2nd round 6-4, 6-3, in just an hour
and 17 minutes.
Playing at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China, blue hard circuit, Berdych shunned the veteran compatriot and did not give a chance to stand in front of him for more than 10 rallies at a time. Adding to his advantage,
the 6’5” blistered 6 aces to capitalize an effortless win over his opponent.
Moving on with the fixture, the two walked down the hard court to play the third head-to-head fixture. Winning the toss, the former world No.6, Berdych, opened up the starter, however, was broken early by the 32-year-old, 0-1.
Stepanek followed with a win to lead the start 2-0.
However, Berdych climbed up as he served-n-broke next levelling up the scores at 2 games each. Lynching away with another game, the 26-year-old laddered up to 3-2, however, Stepanek followed up with a winner, 3-3.
With scores levelling up again at 4-4, Berdych served out a triple game point winner and struck. Breaking the world No.26, Berdych pocketed the first set, 6-4, and limped onto the next.
With the second round on its way, the 26-year-old followed up winning the opening game of the set and switched the serve, 1-0. Levelling up next, Stepanek kept right on the world No.7’s tail.
However, Berdych capitalized and stepped on the accelerator as he served-n-broke the world No.26, to lead the set 3-1. Extending his lead to gain a comfortable position, the world No.7 bagged another win on his serve to lead 4-1,
and went on to return the lower ranked veteran.
Stepanek did pull back games on his serve, yet he was unable to break the higher ranked 26-year-old at any point. With scores at 4-2 now, Berdych finished up the set serving out two out of the next three games winning the set,
6-3..
2-1 up in head-to-head scores against his compatriot, Berdych now moves on to the 3rd round of the ATP Masters 1000 event to play against the Tipsarevic killer, Feliciano Lopez.
Although unseeded, Lopez has a reputation to surprise his opponents with consistency and accuracy. However, if Berdych is able to conquer his frustration he might undo Lopez for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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