RICKY DIMON’S TENNIS PICKS FROM ROME LOOKING @ THE MATCH UP OF ROGER FEDERER VERSUS TOMAS BERDYCH

Written by: Staff on 14th May 2015

RICKY DIMON'S TENNIS PICKS FROM ROME LOOKING @ THE MATCH UP OF ROGER FEDERER VERSUS TOMAS BERDYCH

epa04747056 Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, during their match for the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 13 May 2015. EPA/MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI |

Federer flies into showdown with familiar foe Berdych

Thanks to Roger Federer, we do not have to sit through another matchup between Tomas Berdych and Kevin Anderson. Berdych-Anderson, of course, has produced one of the most lopsided head-to-head records in recent memory. The Czech has won all 12 of their previous encounters, all of which took place in a three-year span from 2012 through 2014.

Instead, we will get to see what should be a far more entertaining affair involving Federer and Berdych during quarterfinal action at the Internzionali BNL d’Italia on Friday. That’s because Federer got the best of Anderson 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Swiss was in control the whole way until a hiccup from out of nowhere starting at 5-2 in the second set. He twice failed to serve out the match, first in the eighth game of the set and again in the 10th. But Federer broke at 5-5 and finally sealed the deal with a hold in the 12th game.

“I had to adjust and react differently in today’s match than yesterday’s match,” said the world No. 2, who won his opener in straight sets against Pablo Cuevas. “It was so different because it’s Kevin and his amazing serve. There’s only so much you can do on the return games. The first thing was not to get frustrated, because I was not seeing where he was serving.

“But thankfully I got off to a really good start in both sets. From then on I could relax almost. I was able to break him four times, which was a really good effort in the quick conditions here in Rome.”

Berdych had a much tougher day at the office, as he needed two hours and 34 minutes to get past crowd favorite Fabio Fognini 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2). The fifth-ranked Czech once led by a set and a break before the Italian stormed back. In the end, though, it was not to be for the energized fans on Court Pietrangeli.

Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic jubilates at the end of the match vs Fabio Fognini of Italy at the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2015. EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

Federer and Berdych will be facing each other for the 20th time in their careers. The head-to-head series stands at 13-6 in favor of Federer, who most recently prevailed 6-4, 6-0 earlier this season in Indian Wells. After losing two in a row to Berdych in 2012 and 2013, the 17-time major champion has managed to get the job done on two straight occasions.

The two players have squared off only once on clay in the last nine years, with Federer improving to 3-0 lifetime against Berdych on the slow stuff after scoring a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory in the 2012 Madrid final (blue clay).

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

10sBalls.com editors note :

We loved the BLUE CLAY. It was awesome to follow the path of the ball. It was great viewing in person or on television. We hope Tiriac tries it again. Tests it longer. Puts in down sooner. The clay in Rome is difficult to read. Has irregularities. The blue in Madrid had a bit different feel due to the dye maybe ? Or other comments mentioned.

We pick Federer to win Rome. He has to make Vittorio sing with joy and happiness in his heart. Either he or Rafa will do it. Idea of hearing Benito sing along is scary.

Topics: ATP Roma, Federer, Foro Italico, Internazionali BNL D'Italia, Italian Open, Ricky Dimon, Rome tennis, Tomas Berdych

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10sBalls_com says:

May 14, 2015 at 1:16 pm

@Dimonator’s #TENNIS PICKS FROM #RomeMasters LOOKING @ THE MATCH UP OF @rogerfederer VERSUS @tomasberdych- http://t.co/1Qv7X0Sg2d #Federer