Berdych recovers to seal semis berth

 

Originally published on: 25/11/11 23:02

Tomas Berdych pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind victory against David Ferrer to end the Spaniard’s unbeaten run at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time.   

The Czech began the evening session placed third in Group A but leapt into top spot after beating Ferrer 3-6 7-5 6-1 for his first win over the Spaniard in six years.  

The result means world No.1 Novak Djokovic is eliminated from the tournament, with Berdych set to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second semi-final on Saturday night and Ferrer due to take on Roger Federer in the afternoon session having failed to beat the Swiss in their 11 previous meetings.  

“Tomorrow I will try to do my best,” said Ferrer of his chances against the indoor expert. “I will try to fight a lot. I never win [against] Roger and I hope I can change [that].” 

Ferrer looked to be on course for a semi-final clash with Tsonga, who he has a 1-1 record against in their two career clashes, when he whistled through a 33-minute first set before breaking for a 2-1 lead in the second.

But Berdych, determined to improve on his 2010 performance in London by claiming a spot in the semi-finals, dug his heels in and broke straight back, and though the pair exchanged two more breaks, the Czech took the one that mattered at 6-5 to force a deciding set.

From there it was one-way traffic, and even a shirt change – to a shockingly lurid pink – couldn’t save the Spaniard as Berdych wrestled control.

Dominating the majority of the baseline battles in the final set, the Czech eventually coasted on to victory in two hours and eight minutes after allowing Ferrer just a solitary service hold in the last seven games of the match.

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