Roger Federer moved back to No.2 in the world
after beating Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-5 on
Sunday to win his third Madrid Masters. The
Swiss will stand behind Novak Djokovic on
the ATP list after winning the 74th title of
his career.Federer went level with Rafael
Nadal, who will slip to three in the world,
on 20 career titles at the Masters 1000 l
evel, with both men holding the record.
The 30-year-old Federer was playing in
his 104th ATP final and won his fourth
title of the season.
Czech sixth seed Berdych made the stronger
start and a break of the Federer serve in the
second game was enough to settle an
otherwise desperately tight first set. The
crowd sweltering in the Madrid heat tried
their best to lift the hugely-popular Federer,
champion in 2006 and 2009, and he responded
with two breaks of serve in the second set
that helped him level the match. A couple of
double faults from Berdych, who was
bidding for a second career Masters triumph,
put Federer 5-3 ahead in the decider but
the 16-times grand slam champion faltered
when serving for the match. However, with
Berdych needing to hold to stay in
contention at 6-5 down, Federer conjured
another break, converting his fourth match
point when Berdych netted a forehand.
"It feels amazing," Federer told spectators."Look, it's been a tough tournament and tough
to move but you just go on with it and try to make the best out of it," added the Swiss
Maestro. "There was some good tennis and there was some bad tennis as well, you see
that in all the tournaments, but I thought the level of play under the circumstances was
very good."
Federer came into the tournament following a month-long rest and is looking in ominous form
as the world's top players prepare for the French Open starting in Paris later this month. The
2009 Roland Garros champion had already won titles this year in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian
Wells and has only lost three times since falling to Djokovic in the U.S. Open semi finals
last September.
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