Tomas Berdych tops Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to capture title – If Stockholm Open 2012
World number six, Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic, fought back from a deficit of one set to overcome the top seed from France, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in the If Stockholm final in Sweden on Sunday.
The Czech player went down 4-6 in the first set, came to equal terms by winning the middle one 6-4 and then capitalised on his third match point to seal the decider 6-4.
Berdych improved his position on the road to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. The Czech star is at sixth place in the Race and is next in line for the qualification.
Just three places are left to be grabbed in the singles event of the season ending championships, with Juan Martin Del Potro and Tsonga following Berdych by being on the seventh and eighth spot respectively.
Talking about the final match, Berdych and Tsonga made a steady start, as they held their serve in the first four games to equalise the score at 2-2. The Frenchman hit a blow to Berdych in the fifth and made the most of it to win
6-4.
Tsonga and Berdych traded a strike in the first eight games of the second set to square off the proceedings at 4-4. The Czech number one broke again in the 10th to close it 6-4.
Final set went with serves in the opening nine games, taking the score to 5-4 in favour of Berdych. Tsonga saved a couple of match points in the 10th one but could not do the same on the third, going down 4-6.
Commenting on the proceedings of the contest, Berdych said, "It feels pretty good to have won a second title this season. When I was 2-4 down in the second set, I remained positive and focused on my game. Against Jo you have to
stay positive until the last point. I am happy that I was able to turnaround the match and that’s what makes this title special."
The Czech added, "London is always a goal every season. You have to play well the whole year to qualify. It will be special for me, if I make it for the third year in a row. I then hope to do well for Czech Republic in the Davis
Cup final at home."
This was eighth ATP World Tour title of Berdych’s career, getting 250 ranking points and a cheque for €87,870.
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