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Berdych beats Garcia-Lopez to end title drought in Shenzhen

Xinhua, October 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Top seed and world No. 5 Tomas Berdych lifted the trophy for the first time in 2015 season, as he beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3,7-6(7) in a rain-delayed Shenzhen Open final here on Monday.

The 30-year old Czech ended a one-year long title drought in rainy weather, which forced the semifinals and final to be delayed by one day.

"We both have a good week, but just one can win," Berdych said, hoding the trophy.

"It was a very long and very tough week, it was not easy to go through." he added.

As he did in the semifinal, the top seed got started stronger. Firing six aces, the first set was under his well control. Garcia-Lipez, however, suffering from seven double faults, had no chance. Berdych quickly won the first set 6-3.

"It was a very close match, I am happy with the way I started, I was very focused and very sharp from the beginning," Berdych said.

But the Spaniard, who won three of their six previous encounters, were back to the match from the begining of the second set. Garcia-Lopez managed to break early and led the top seed 3-0.

"Then I lost my serve, and he played some good risky shots," said Berdych.

Garcia-Lopez relinquished his lead and Berdych quickly bounced to win three games. The match then went into a close battle. The Spaniard even had the chance to take the match to a decider when he led 6-5 in the tie-break, only to see Berdych save the set point and convert his second match point to win the final.

"I was once desperate, the last three days were tough, very hard mentally to keep focus, I am proud of myself to make it happen." Berdych said. Endi