TENNIS ATP ROTTERDAM – Defending champion Tomas Berdych swept aside Giles Simon 6-2 6-1 in just 58 minutes in the first semifinal of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Championships in Rotterdam. The Czech player will be bidding to win his second consecutive title in the Dutch port city. Diego Sampaolo
Berdych broke serve in the second game of the opening set and got a double break en route to a easy 6-2 win. Berdych held serve to 15 in the first game. Simon went up 40-15 on his serve but Berdych fought back to convert on his first break point for 2-0. Berdych confirmed the break and held serve to open up a 3-0 lead. Simon held his serve to score his first game of the match but Berdych dropped just three points on his serve.
Berdych allowed Simon only two return points. Berdych broke serve to love in the second game of the second set and again opened up a 3-0 lead. Simon finally won the first point of the second set but he was broken again.
Berdych took the re-match against Simon who beat their previous head-to-head match in Shanghai in three sets.
Berdych is just two victories away from the 500 match wins milestone in his career.
“My game was good and the game plan was even better. I need to keep going as there is one match to go. I want to go all the way. It’s good not to find anything wrong with your game. I felt very good on court. It was really a good match, solid from the beginning. It all started with the right game plan. It was all positive for me. I was able to add something to my game”, said Berdych
Berdych played a perfect match in which he won 22 of his 23 service points, hit 14 winners and converted on four of his five break point chances.
Berdych will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka
