Berdych downs Monfils to win Montpellier
Czech Tomas Berdych claimed his seventh career title when he defeated local favourite Gael Monfils 6-2 4-6 6-3 in the final of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Sunday.
World number seven Berdych had too much pace for Frenchman Monfils and prevailed in two hours five minutes.
"It was a great three sets, it was very close and I'm happy I was able to do it," top seed Berdych told French TV channel Canal Plus Sport.
"He is a great player, he knows how to fight on court, but I knew that and I was ready for it."
Monfils, who was the defending champion, admitted the better player had won.
"I tried to return his serves better, to be more aggressive but it is not easy when he steps on to the court," he said.
Berdych took the first set easily but world number 13 Montfils started to move much better in the second.
He opened up a 3-1 lead and although the Czech threatened to level in the eighth game, Monfils held serve to send the match into a decider.
Monfils saw off two break points in the eighth game but conceded the third to let Berdych serve for the match.
The Czech duly delivered, wrapping it up on his first match point with a backhand winner.
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@4 Yes Carla I think you also need a haircut asap ;)
Just don't hit him accidently with a tennis ball or he won't shake your hand.
Gael needs a haircut as the weight of his hair is slowing him down . Besides the heat it must cause him must cloud his brain. I am not a Physicist but it makes sense that too much hair slows one down ! The same goes for Caroline Wosniaki, she is for ever wasting her time in brushing her plat away and at times obscures her vision during play ! Any suggestions from the Physicist in residence ?
As expected, Berdych got the better of Monfils. Congrats on your 7th finals win Thomas, and a very good start of the season! But I feel sorry for the crowdpleaser Monfils, who now has a 4-13 record in finals. He needs to work on his mental attitude to change it, because by now he should have won close to 10 titles. That's how good he is, in my opinion. Life is good but not always fair.
he is good
Berdych has been playing well since the latter part of last season and at Melbourne only the best Nadal has been able to stop him. It looks like a very consistent start of season for the Czech.
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