Defending champion Tomas Berdych Survived a stern test against Thomaz Bellucci to enter his second consecutive Shenzhen Open final.
The world number seven started well as he broke in the fourth game to storm to a 3-1 lead. He looked very comfortable on serve as he didn’t allow Bellucci to even have one break point opportunity in the first set. Berdych would then break in the eighth game to grab the first 6-2. He looked relaxed and composed as he took the match to the Brazilian.
Berdych continued his superiority in the second set, as he broke for a 3-1 lead. Suddenly he was 4-1 ahead and Bellucci was hitting unforced errors for fun. Although Bellucci was determined to prolong this match and so he did, as a result he broke in the tenth game to love, to level the second set at 5-5. However he was living on borrowed time and Berdych applied the pressure and therefore capitalised in the twelfth game to break to love and as a result sealed the match 6-2 7-5 in just over 1 hour and twenty minutes.
After the match Berdych spoke of his delight after recently experiencing problems with his fitness levels.
“I was struggling physically the past few weeks, so it’s nice to be playing some matches and tomorrow I will have a chance to go for the title. Things are going well.” He said.
Berdych will now play third seed Richard Gasquet in the final who cruised through against a Physically warned down Janko Tipsarevic. Gasquet hit 74% of first serves in the first set as he grabbed the opening set 6-2. Gasquet then surged to a 4-1 lead before Tipsarevic had to retire due to a thigh injury. It was one too many for him as he gave Gasquet the win.
“It’s a great treasure for me to reach another final. It’ll be hard for me to win, but I will try to win.” Gasquet said about reaching his second ATP final of the season.
Sunday’s encounter with Berdych will be Gasquet’s 26th career final, the second highest from a Frenchman. The head to head record between the two players is currently level at 7-7.
