06/02/2012 13:12 CEST - ATP TOUR

Berdych in Montpellier Youzhny in Zagreb

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Montpellier
The weather in Montpellier was surprisingly nice, considering the situation in Europe, the sun was shining and the temperatures were above freezing. As I arrived at the Park & Suites Arena I noticed that the parking lot was more crowded than in previous days, but inside the stadium there were still many empty seats. The day started with the doubles final that saw the home favourites Mahut and Roger-Vasselin defeat the Australian Hanley and Brit Jamie Murray 6-4 7-6.

After a few minutes it was time for the final that the organisers had hoped for. The top seed against the French defending champion or the “cold” Czech giant versus the circuit showman Monfils.
This was their second meeting. The first was played four years ago in Dubai, Berdych won 6-3 6-2. The Czech was also looking to improve on his finals record, he was on six wins and six losses, and conquer his second indoor title seven years after his win in Paris-Bercy. La Monf was looking to confirm the title he won last year and win his 5th title in career.

The world number seven started the match with an ace to set the tone for the rest of the match. He held on to his serve easily showing the same agility (for his standards) that he had shown so far this year. The Czech was putting pressure on Monfils from the base line, breaking the Frenchman at the second opportunity with an aggressive return on a Monfils second serve and a powerful forehand. Gael wasn't going to let Berdych win easily in front of the French crowd and he had two chances to break back in the following game. Berdych cancelled the first with a winning serve, but Monfils wasted the second with a forehand that landed 5 cm beyond the base line.

The first set was decided already even if Berdych gives another chance to Monfils when he put an easy forehand in the net at 3-1, 30-30. Again Berdych uses his serve to save the point and the game, 4-1 Berdych. The Czech was playing as he did during the whole tournament by controlling the exchange from the base line and moving to play his forehand from the left side of the court. Monfils was running left and right in the attempt to hold on to the rallies, but he was hardly ever able to attack. The set ended when Berdych played two aggressive returns, 6-2 Berdych, despite the numerous “Allez Gael!” that were coming from the crowd.

To try and leave his mark on the match Gael knew that he had to step into the court. He did just that to hold on to his serve in the second set with the added help of his serve (he was putting a higher percentage of first serves). The problem for La Monf was that Berdych wasn't missing and his percentages were still very high. The Czech was 2-1 0-30, but the Parisian reacted as a true champion with two forehand attacks and an ace. In the following game Monfils hunts down an unsuccessful stop volley by the Czech waking up the crowd. Berdych lost his concentration and followed the volley with a double fault and a missed backhand volley on break point.

The break gave Monfils some energy and confidence. The world number 13 started to hold hid own during the rallies. The Czech was still dominant with his forehand and he got himself two chances to break back, but the Frenchman played the two points very well with a powerful first serve and a spectacular forehand passing shot. The set went the Frenchman's way 6-4. At this stage the crowd was getting excited and a Mexican wave made its appearance on the stands. Berdych was getting nervous because of a few “partisan” calls from the line judges and he was starting to miss more shots. He saved himself with two aces and two strong first serves at 1-1 0-30.

The defending champion was serving better, but he had no answers to Berdych's serve and forehand tactics. At 2-3 30-30 the French player player saved his serve with an excellent drop-shot followed by a volley and a very risky second serve, but the seventh game was fatal for him. The crowd started to contest a missed call on a Berdych shot, La Monf lost his concentration and the game with an unforced forehand error and a double fault. The match was over when Berdych won his match point just as he started the match, with an ace, 6-2 4-6 6-3.

Patrick Chamagne, Monfils coach, will not be too happy to have seen his player dominated by the power of the Czech, but Gael did react to a difficult situation. It was Tomas' seventh career title and he confirmed the improvements he showed in Australia. He could break into the top 5 if he continues like this.

The only negative aspect of the tournament was the crowd. There were many empty seats and they were often too partisan and unruly after some disputed decisions. The French press was worse, after a lengthy press conference with Monfils they all left the press conference room when Berdych appeared. There were just 6 journalists left (myself included) and it wouldn't have been a surprise if Berdych would have just walk out (and he would have been right to do so).

From Montpellier Christian Turba

Zagreb
It was a good final for an ATP 250 tournament in Zagreb. The philosopher and ex-top 10 player Mikhail Youzhny played against the powerful hitter, the Slovak Lukas Lacko. The final was quick and wasn't ever in doubt, still it was a very pleasant match to watch, mainly thanks to Youzhny who is one of the most talented players on the circuit. He gave a lesson on the drop-shot and the backhand down the line showing, in my opinion, that a match can be entertaining even if it is hardly contested. There wasn't much fight or intensity and it definitely wasn't an epic (after all it was an ATP 250 tournament), but it was aesthetically pleasing. The head to head record between these two players was quite clear, Youzhny had won all three previous encounters, but he always lost a set to the Slovak.

The uncertainty in the match lasted a mere 2 games when Lacko resisted the Russians assault on his serve in the second set, but that was it. Youzhny held his serve easily in the third game the Russian went 0-40 placing winner after winner. Lacko made it back to deuce thanks to a few mistakes by the Russian (it is Youzhny after all), but the break arrived with another excellent backhand by Mischa. Youzhny held his serve in the following game and went 4-1 up. Lacko is able to hold on to his serve even if he had to face a couple of break points, but he just postponed the inevitable end of the first set. With another break Youzhny won the set 6-2.

The Russian started the second set with another break with a fantastic drop-shot. The break was enough for the Russian as he demonstrated an impressive solidity on his serve. He won 70% of the points on his first serve and 80% on his second. This is the only criticism that can be moved towards Lacko, he never managed to put Youzhny's second serve under pressure. Otherwise he was playing against someone who was simply a superior tennis player.

The slovak cannot have many regrets, it was his first career final as opposed to Youzhny's 18. The Russian has now won eight titles in his career (4 indoor). He had won his last tournament 16 months ago in Kuala Lumpur.

Karim Nafea

Christian Turba and Karim Nafea