Wawrinka Beats Defending Champion Berdych to Win Rotterdam
Stan Wawrinka knocked off defending champion Tomas Berdych 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to capture the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The Swiss was able to pick up break points at big spots in the second and third frames to fight back from a set down and knock off the Czech.
“It’s been an amazing week,” said Wawrinka, who notched his ninth career title. “It wasn’t easy, but every match I found my way. It was a great final. Tomas was playing really well, but I’m happy to turn that match for me and win the title.”
With Berdych taking the first set, Wawrinka stole the momentum late in the second frame, breaking the Czech at 4-3 and then held to close out the set and force it into a deciding third.
The Swiss got things going early in the final set, breaking in the opening game and then consolidating it with a hold for a 2-0 advantage. He would break again to go up 4-1, and even after Berdych broke back, Wawrinka was able to serve out the remainder of the match and knock off the defending champion.
“I’m disappointed with the way the match finished,” said Berdych. “There can only be one winner. I had my chances in the beginning of the second set and I didn’t make them so I think that cost me the match.”
It is the first indoor title of the seventh-ranked Swiss’ career.
“Winning indoors is something special for me personally,” he said after the match.
The all-Top 10 final was the third in the last 10 years at Rotterdam.
