May 14, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Switzerland’s Roger Federer defeated Tomas Berdych in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 to win the 2012 Madrid Open this weekend for the third time. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal put the blame on the new blue-clay courts for their early departures, whereas Federer’s toughest obstacle was to defeat someone who had took him down in three out of five previous meetings.
”It is amazing to win here again,” said Federer, who moved ahead of Nadal as the number two-ranked player in the world behind Djokovic. ”It has been a tough tournament. Tough to move, but you’ve got to try to make the most of it. Here there was some good tennis and some bad tennis, but you see that in all tournaments.”
Berdych was able to hit 14 winners and took just two unforced errors in what was a strong first set. Federer was able to find his medium and broke Berdych twice to push the match to a third set which allowed him to secure a victory.
Federer last won the Madrid Open in 2006 and 2009, and was able to save two set points before Berdych took the first set with a large serve that Federer was only able to put back into the net.
”It was a tough tournament and a brutal draw. Tomas played very well,” Federer said. ”I’m sure we will see each other many more times and there will be quality matches like this one.”
