Djokovic makes shining start to past Berdych at ATP Finals
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his singles match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych at the ATP World Tour Finals in London November 22, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
The world No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia showed his great form by demolishing sixth seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic in straight sets in their opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals on Monday.
Djokovic, 23, defeated the season finale debutant Berdych in style as he only required 88 minutes to wrap it up 6-3, 6-3.
"I couldn't ask for a better start of the tournament," said Djokovic, winning the event in 2008.
Berdych 25, is the only player in the Top 10 not to win an ATP World Tour title this season. Although he defeated Djokovic in straight sets in the Wimbledon semifinals this year, he lost to the Serbian in Davis Cup semifinals later.
Berdych admitted that he felt pressure as it was his first ever match in the season finale. "If I would say no, then I would be lying. So, yes, I think you can see in the beginning that there was a little bit of, like, it affect my game a little bit," said the world No. 6 who made two double faults in the opening game and was broken easily.
Then, Berdych fought hard in the third game of the first set and finally took the game after saving four breaking points, but couldn't stop Djokovic breaking again in the ninth game.
As the semifinalist at French Open and runnerup at Wimbledon, Berdych played better in the second set but still lost it for being broken in the second game.
"If you just give him more pressure, then, you know, he could make more mistakes. But he just played solid and winning," Berdych commented on Djokovic.
The other two players in Group A are world No. 1 Rafael Nadal and American eighth seed Andy Roddick. The two are slated to show up in the evening.
