19th seed Tomas Berdych produced one of his best performances yet as he dominated Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 6-3 6-1 to make the second week of the Australian Open in impressive fashion.
The Czech Republican hit 52 winners in the contest as Del Potro was powerless through out the contest. Despite sharing breaks at the start of the match it was Berdych who was firing the more dominant forehands as he broke the Argentinian in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead. The 19th seed’s serve was very impressive throughout the match and he used that to close out the first set 6-3 in 51 minutes.
The former grand slam finalist began the second set in equally impressive fashion as his backhands continued to command Del Potro as he broke in the first game in the second set. The Argentinian had more opportunities to break in the second set however Berdych protected his serve and continued to open the court up for himself. The Czech Republican broke at the end of the set as he stormed into a two sets to love lead.
The third set saw Del Potro show his tiredness from his previous match with Khachanov and couldn’t manage to create any openings for himself. Berdych stormed into a 5-0 lead with ease as he hit the ball with confidence and authority. Despite a mini-comeback from the Argentinian, it was the world number 20 who sealed victory on his fifth match.
It was an impressive performance from Berdych, probably one of the best performances of his career which has put the men’s draw on notice. As for the Argentinian he lacked the consistent energy and motivation to stop the Czech Republican as he looks to improve his mental and physical fitness.
Berdych has now set up a meeting with erratic Italian, Fabio Fognini in the fourth round. The Italian beat Julien Benneteau in five sets to book his place into the second week.
