Tomas Berdych is one win away from a second consecutive title in Stockholm, which would mark his third overall at the event. Standing in his way on Sunday is Jack Sock, who is through to the second ATP final of his career.
Tomas Berdych and Jack Sock will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in as many weeks when they battle for the If Stockholm Open title on Sunday.
They just faced each other 11 days earlier during third-round action at the Shanghai Masters, where Berdych prevailed 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4. Both players broke serve three times in that showdown, during which Sock actually won a greater percentage of return points and more total points despite losing. The American struck as many double-faults (five) as aces, whereas Berdych fired 13 aces compared to just one double-fault.
Although those numbers may indicate that Sock is more than capable of turning the tide one week later, an indoor setting should be more advantageous to Berdych–especially in Stockholm. The fifth-ranked Czech is a two-time champion (2012, 2014), boasts a career record of 13-3, and is 11-0 in his last 11 matches at the tournament. Berdych is 54-18 for his 2015 campaign and heading back to the World Tour Finals next month.
Sock has improved to an awesome 32-15 for the year thanks to victories this week over Pablo Carreno Busta, Fernando Verdasco, Gilles Simon, and Richard Gasquet. Following three-setters against the Spaniards, the world No. 32 raised his level considerably in impressive straight-set defeats of the Frenchmen.
“I had to play well today to beat a guy like that,” Sock said after trouncing Gasquet 6-4, 6-2. “He’s having such a good year, but today I was able to stay on him and dictate a lot of the points. I was able to get a rhythm at the end and close it out comfortably.”
Comfortable is exactly what Berdych is in Stockholm and in ATP finals. This is his 29th career title match and he is bidding for a 12th winner’s trophy. Sock has contested only one final–this spring on the clay courts of Houston, where he got the best of countryman Sam Querrey in a pair of tiebreakers.
Look for Berdych’s experience to be decisive in what should be another three-set affair.
Pick: Berdych in 3
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Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Sock is also a good player I was impressed by his forehand when he played Simon but I am backing Berdych to get the Win here.
I picked Sock in 3 on the semifinal thread because the final preview wasn’t up yet. After reading Ricky’s preview and realizing Berdy’s record at this event, I am now rethinking that initial prediction.
Sock has looked so good this week. I do expect this match to go 3 sets. I guess that I will now go with Berdy for the win in 3 sets.
This match is under way.
2-2. Sock holds with an ace.
Sock breaks.
Berdych had better find a decent serve pdq or this could be over quite quickly.
Sock couldn’t serve out the set, Berdych levels at 5:5
Berdych with 5 set points at 6-1 in tiebreak.
Set to Berdych
Berdych with a break lead in 2nd set.
Berdych 3-1 in 2nd set.
Sock hitting a few bad ground strokes.
Sock holds on but Berdych with the break advantage.
Berdych with an easy hold and a 4-2 lead.
Sock had 40-0 on serve but some atrocious tennis by sock allows Berdych to win 5 points in a row and he now leads 5-2 and will serve for the match.
Sock has hit the wall. The danger of playing doubles as well.
Berdych wins 7-6(1) 6-2
Sock just gave up after he failed to serve out the first set.
If it hadn’t been for Ricky’s prediction stating Berdy’s record at this event, I would not have known to pick him in two sets. It’s still a good result for Sock. He should move forward and try to build on this result.
Berdy too good today.