BERDYCH SECURES HIS THIRD STOCKHOLM TITLE, CZECH CAPS OFF STERLING WEEK WITH THE WIN

Written by: Staff on 26th October 2015

BERDYCH SECURES HIS THIRD STOCKHOLM TITLE, CZECH CAPS OFF STERLING WEEK WITH THE WIN

epa04995337 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates with the trophy after winning against Jack Sock of the US in the final match for the Stockholm Open tennis tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, 25 October 2015. EPA/ANDERS WIKLUND SWEDEN OUT |

Top seed Tomas Berdych stretched his winning streak to 12 matches with his third If Stockholm Open title by virtue of a 7-6(1), 6-2 victory over Jack Sock. The Czech, who has already qualified for the Barclay ATP World Tour Finals in London in November, won the ATP World Tour 250 tournament without dropping a set and improved his career record in finals to 12-17.

“I’ve definitely built up a good history here, which always helps,” noted Berdych. “The tournament does a really good job taking care of us, making us feel at home. Sometimes you find a place in the world that suits you well, and it’s the case here. I’m glad to be able to add to my titles here.”

It was Berdych’s second title of the year, after winning Shenzhen earlier this month (d. Garcia-Lopez). He earned 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €97,700, while Sock took home 150 points and €51,450.

The 23-year-old Sock, who will play for the Stockholm doubles title later on Sunday, was attempting to become the first American man since Andy Roddick (2008 Beijing) to win an ATP World Tour singles title after the US Open. This week, he and Steve Johnson became the first Americans since Donald Young (2011 Bangkok) to reach a singles final after the fourth Grand Slam event of the season. Despite saving 77 per cent (24/31) of break points faced coming into the final, Sock only saved one of four break points against Berdych in the final.

Jack Sock of the US returns to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during the final match for the Stockholm Open tennis tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, 25 October 2015. EPA/ANDERS WIKLUND

“[Sock] is doing the right things,” said Berdych of his opponent. “He has already had some great results in doubles, which will help him gain experience and improve in singles. He can absolutely be a very dangerous player.”

An early hiccup from Berdych saw the American earn the first break of serve, but the 6’5” Czech broke back when Sock served for the opening set at 5-4. Berdych made the most of his first-strike style thereafter, dominating the tie-break and winning the second set without facing a break point. He finished with nine aces and won 90 per cent of first service points during the 84-minute match.

“I found a way to deal with a tough situation in the first set,” said Berdych. “Afterwards I was able to find my game and get better and better.”

( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/berdych-sock-final-stockholm-2015 )

Topics: Atp World Tour, jack sock, Sports, Steve Johnson, Stockholm Open final, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych

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10sBalls_com says:

October 26, 2015 at 8:46 am

-@tomasberdych SECURES HIS THIRD #Stockholm TITLE, CZECH CAPS OFF STERLING WEEK WITH THE WIN- https://t.co/xcOgFWFP4L #StockholmOpen #tennis
ModernFurnishin says:

October 26, 2015 at 9:59 am

RT @TennisNewsOne: BERDYCH SECURES HIS THIRD STOCKHOLM TITLE, CZECH CAPS OFF STERLING WEEK WITH THE WIN https://t.co/l1Vx59nDhW #tennis