Posted at 6:36 a.m., Sunday, June 17, 2007
Berdych sweeps to Gerry Weber Open tennis title
Associated Press
HALLE, Germany — Tomas Berdych won the Gerry Weber Open today, beating Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 6-4 at this Wimbledon warmup on the Cypriot's 22nd birthday.Berdych won his third career title and first of the year. Last year, the Czech lost to Roger Federer in the final.
"It feels fantastic to be back again and this time win it," the 13th-ranked Berdych said. "But I feel sorry for Marcos that I had to beat him on his birthday of all days."
Berdych, who didn't lose a set all week, only twice risked a service break against Baghdatis, the 2006 Australian Open finalist.
Berdych struggled at 5-5 in the first set but warded off the two break chances by putting Baghdatis off-balance a sharply angled shot and a spinning deep serve. The Czech rode his big serve and needed just one break opportunity to go up 6-5 in the first set. He broke again to start the next set.
About 12,000 fans at center court sang "Happy Birthday" to Baghdatis, and organizers gave him a birthday cake.
"I've never had anything like that before," Baghdatis said. "And I will still celebrate my birthday and my mother will congratulate me."
Berdych's two best performances this year were semifinal appearances at Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Munich. The 18th-ranked Baghdatis won in Zagreb, Croatia, and lost the final in Marseille, France.
Both are optimistic leading to Wimbledon. Last year, Berdych reached the fourth round and Baghdatis made the semifinals.
