TENNIS – Tomas Berdych advanced to the semi-finals of the Sony Open, Miami, by defeating in two close sets Aleksandr Dolgopolov 6-4 7-6 (3). This win meant more than a Master 1000 semi for the Czech, it was his 450th success as a professional player and it sanctioned his comeback inside the world’s top five. Giulio Gasparin
Tomas Berdych advanced to the semi-finals of the Sony Open, Miami, by defeating in two close sets Aleksandr Dolgopolov 6-4 7-6 (3).
This win meant more than a Master 1000 semi for the Czech, it was his 450th success as a professional player and it sanctioned his comeback inside the world’s top five.
It was not an easy task for Berdych though, as he started the match by losing the serve with a double fault. However, he managed to equalize the score breaking back in the following game.
Most of the first set was, anyway, decided by the Ukrainian, who realised the most stunning winners, but the worst mistakes too.
The Czech faced his biggest challenge in trying to defend the second serve, which was often attacked by Dolgopolov, but thanks to smart tactical decisions, he managed to keep the serve percentage high.
The Ukrainian was not as sharp as a strategist and once his rhythm was broken by a rain delay in the ninth game, he started being nervous and ended up being broken in the decisive 10th game.
After winning the first set 6-4, Berdych suddenly found himself trailing, as Dolgopolov managed to lower the number of errors and his game gave no chance to reply.
In a few games times though, it was clear that it was just a flash in the pan and the Ukrainian started another battle against himself and the umpire after a bad call. He started talking and complaining all by himself, losing the focus on his tennis right when it most was needed, serving for the second set.
The Czech did not let the chance run away and broke back, forcing then the set to a tiebreak.
Berdych, who had never lost to Dolgopolov in the three precedents, started the tiebreak showing some of his best tennis and did not let the level drop, while the Ukrainian looked tentative at time and the match ended with one more of his errors.
Berdych will meet the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic for a place in the final act of the tournament.
