Tomas Berdych finds form against Andy Roddick in London
Sixth-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych overcame Andy Roddick at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday 24 November, fighting back in the first set to beat the American 7–5 6–3.
Berdych defended two set points during the opener before claiming the second set comfortably by breaking his opponent twice.
"It feels great," Berdych told reporters after the game. The Czech's leap in form was evident after suffering a resounding defeat to Novak Djokovic on Monday 22 November.
"I'm happy after losing to Djokovic to get back on the court and start to play my tennis again and feel good on court. That's what I needed."
Roddick, who has beaten Berdych three times during 2010, opened the first set with the steady service he is known for, while the world number six's sluggish delivery reminded spectators of his performance against Djokovic.
By the fourth game, Berdych seemed more composed, complementing his lack of pace with anticipative movement and strong forehand strokes.
At 2–3, Roddick attempted to pass the towering Berdych, who had approached the net, but the Czech somehow reached his shot to produce a drop shot that pulled him level on games.
At 4–5, the Czech defended two set points, approaching the net again to refute Roddick's offence during the second.
Berdych's crucial break
The tables then turned in the 11th game, when Roddick's second serve failed him for a crucial double-fault that saw Berdych gain the momentum and break the American with a perfectly placed forehand.
The world number eight continued to struggle in the following game when Berdych's heavy service proved too much despite an early double-fault.
Roddick began the second set by holding Berdych, who responded by claiming his two first service games, the second one to love.
In the fifth game, Berdych showed the kind of form that earned him a place in this year's Wimbledon final, hitting a well-placed forehand and a strong return to earn two break points and seal the game on the second.
Roddick's game on service remained strong, with the American hitting his trademark groundstrokes to great effect, but he got no closer to breaking Berdych as the Czech held another game to love to serve for the set at 5–3.
Berdych's first point in the ninth game was subject to a futile challenged by Roddick, after which the Czech delivered two forehands that his opponent could not match before breaking and sealing the victory on his second break point.
On Friday 26 November, Berdych faces world number one Rafael Nadal while Roddick takes on Djokovic ahead of Saturday's semi-finals.
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