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  • ATP Dubai: Berdych (8) vs Lopez

    3/5/08 2:06 AM | David Cox
    - Berdych and Lopez progressed to the last 16 with contrasting matches yesterday. Berdych couldn’t have really wished for a more comfortable start, the serve was firing on all cylinders and a rusty, erratic Gael Monfils was on the other side of the net. Lopez had to grind out for nearly 2 hours against Tipsarevic, eventually coming through 6-3, 4-6, 6-4; 1 break proving enough to decide each set.

    The head-to-head stands at 2-2, each man having won indoors and on clay. Lopez took the Czech apart 6-3, 6-0 on the Stuttgart clay last summer but on the much faster and lower bouncing Basel carpet, Berdych called the shots 7-6, 3-6, 6-3

    Both men are serving powerhouses albeit in different ways. With Berdych it’s mainly the raw power he generates - regularly over 130mph. Lopez clocks up just as many free points but its more down to his superb placement and spin. Unusually for a left-hander he tends to prefer the flatter ones down the centre rather than the sliced serves out wide. It’s backed up well by a vicious flat forehand and good volleys. Berdych’s stronger side is the backhand.

    So far in Dubai, the wind has been kind but over the next few days the dry heat is expected to kick in, quickening the courts. This could be a factor with the match being played mid-afternoon on Wednesday. The speed and bounciness of the courts really suited Lopez in rd1, finding the mark with 19 aces ! He hasn’t had a great 2008 to date, yet to get past round 2 but a similar serving performance tomorrow could lead to some trouble for the 8th seed

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