Berdych wins 1st title of year at China Open

By Johanna Yueh

China.org.cn, October 10, 2011

World No. 10 Tomas Berdych captured his first ATP singles title this year at the China Open on Sunday. The Czech rallied to beat No. 25 Marin Cilic of Croatia 3-6 6-4 6-1.

"It's really just great to win this title," Berdych said during the awards ceremony that followed the match. "I was really enjoying this week, and it was really great for me."

It was also Berdych's first trophy since May 2009.

Berdych got off to a shaky start, dropping his first game after making three costly errors that included a double fault. Cilic appeared dominant, dictating points that often came from smashing midcourt forehands. He raced to a 3-0 lead before Berdych steadied himself, but every time Berdych seemed to be closing in, Cilic would pull away again.

Down 4-2 in the first set, the 26-year-old Czech had a break point, but Cilic sent down three powerful serves – the last two aces – in just as many minutes.

For a long time, it seemed neither player could gain an advantage for long. The momentum shifted toward Berdych early in the second set, when sloppy play from Cilic cost him the second game. As Cilic netted a forehand, a rejuvenated Berdych pumped his fist in the air and let out a "Yeah!"

Cilic would gain back the break for 4-3 when Berdych sent a forehand long. He then held serve with commanding forehand winners.

But Berdych proved to be the hungrier of the two when a highly contested ninth game ended in his favor. Cilic had two break points in that game that would have allowed him to serve for the match, but Berdych calmly erased them, the first with an ace and the second with a 205-kilometer-per-hour serve that Cilic sent back into the net. He finished the game with two more aces.

Cilic, who now falls to 1-3 all time against Berdych, had his lone win against his opponent earlier this year at Marseilles. But there would not be another comeback in the match as the Croat seemed to grow tired.

Down 4-1 in the third set, Cilic hit an easy volley long to give Berdych another break point. Using his powerful groundstrokes to put Berdych on the defensive, Cilic missed another mid-court volley.

Cilic tried to buy another chance with a challenge on an ace that was placed perfectly down the middle, which gave Berdych match point. But he netted his return on the next serve, and a triumphant Berdych threw his arms up in the air as he walked toward midcourt.