Match of the day in Dubai 500 Masters: Berdych vs Tsonga

Today there was a good match between two qualified players French Jo- Wilfred Tsonga (10) and Czech Tomas Berdych (6). I  was expecting a really exciting match as because both players are equal to each other. They played with each other 6 times before and Berdych leads 4-2. Also Berdych was a finalist last year and lost to Djokovic in 2 sets.

Match started with Berdych’s service game. He prefers to stay behind in the baseline and sending deep shots to the corners. On the contrary, Tsonga has started a bit more aggresive and come to net more often. But these two players hold on their strong service games. The first break point chance appeared in the 7th game when Tsonga was serving but he managed to move forward. Both players were comfortable in their service games and score was 4-4. After this point every point was very crucial.Berdych was so comfortable in service game and made the score 5-4.

Tsonga had to hold his service but i guess the pressure made him make more unforced errors including double fault. As much as he kept sending balls to Berych backhand side, Berdych was sending deep balls and break his rythm and got the first set 6-4.

Second set started again with Berdych’s service. Although Tsonga had a chance to break it, he couldn’t use it. Tsonga needed to get his concentration back as fast as possible as he was having trouble to hold his own service. Berdych had break point chance in 3 times but Tsonga saved it. 1-1 in 2nd set.

After 2-2, Tsonga was looking more confident and energetic in his shots and moves. He tried to make pressure on his rival’s service game and for the first time in the match he had a double break point chance. Game lasted 10 minutes, players saved and lost points mutually but at the end Berdych could hold a very critical game. 3-2 Berdych.

I can also say that both players’ service performance in the second set was not that good as it was in the first set. As a result , they were having trouble to hold on their service games and facing break points threats mutually. In the 7th game , this time Tsonga had a chance to break a service but Berdych made a good defense and saved his service. 4-3.

It was very important for Tsonga to have a play a good service game. When he faced a trouble like 30-30 in his service, he used his serve weapon to prevent the danger. But he made unbelievable unforced errors during the game, besides he made another double fault and gave his service game as a present to Berdych.

Tomas Berdych is a determined and ambitious player. As he was only one game away from Semi-final here, in his service it would be unrealistic that he lost his service game to Tsonga who was not that good and concentrate on game today. Berdych took the match 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour 28 minutes. Tomorrow he will play against Philip Kolschreiber.

Tonight there will be another match between Federer and Rosol. The winner of this match will play agaisnt Djokovic tomorrow in the semi-final. I hope the winner will be Federer tonight and we will have the chance to watch these super players on court tomorrow.

*Photos taken from Australian Open FB page.