Match report

Fernando Gonzalez © Tennistalk.com
Western & Southern Financial Group Masters
1st round
7/28/08 1 2 3 Tot
cl  Fernando Gonzalez 3 6 3 1
cz  Tomas Berdych 6 3 6 2
Tomas Berdych © Tennistalk.com

  • Berdych Sends Gonzalez Toppling Out of Cincinnati

    7/29/08 6:54 AM | Ricky Dimon

    A brutal opening-round clash in Cincinnati ends with Tomas Berdych dispatching Fernando Gonzalez in three sets. Berdych will meet Andreas Seppi on Wednesday.

    The fourth time turned out to be the charm for Tomas Berdych against Fernando Gonzalez.

    After going winless in three previous tilts with the Chilean, Berdych finally came out on top 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 40 minutes to advance to the second round of the Masters Series Cincinnati.

    Berdych was rock-solid on serve in the first set and that ensured one break of Gonzalez would be enough to take an early lead. The Czech won 13 of 15 first-serve points and lost only seven total service points in the opening frame of play.

    As Gonzalez cut down on his errors and began reading his opponent's serves, the tide turned in set two. Gonzalez played one poor service game, but completely dominated his other five service games. Two breaks of Berdych allowed the No. 15 player in the world to level the match at one set apiece with relative ease.

    Another momentum swing came quickly in the final set and an early break visibly demoralized Gonzalez. He continued to put forth a decent effort, but he never again looked like he was really in it, especially since Berdych raised his level considerably. Berdych consistently dictated play with massive forehands and savvy finishes at the net, and he never gave Gonzalez much of chance over the last few games of the match.

    In round two Berdych faces Andreas Seppi, a straight-set winner over Feliciano Lopez. Berdych and Seppi split two prior meetings on clay.

  • Thumbs up

    Impressive recovering by Berdych after losing set two.

  • Thumbs down

    Not an entirely inspired performance by Gonzalez in the third set.

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