Novak Djokovic became the only man to ever win the three opening Master 1000 titles of a season with his 7-5 4-6 6-2 win over Tomas Berdych in Monte-Carlo on Sunday. This Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters title means that Djokovic has now won a staggering 18 of the last 39 Masters 1000 events.
It is Djokovic’s 23rd ATP Masters 1000 title and his second in Monte Carlo. Djokovic came in to the match leading the head to head 18-2 meetings against Berdych including winning the last five. The last time Berdych beat Djokovic was in the 2013 Rome quarterfinals.
Neither player played well in the first set but Djokovic was able to capitalize on Berdych’s errors despite looking lethargic at times and struggling with his serve.
Berdych broke to open the match but Djokovic was able to take advantage of a series of errors by Berdych twice in the middle of the first set to give himself a 5-3 lead. However, a poor service game by Djokovic let Berdych back in to the set. Nevertheless Djokovic was able to redeem himself by breaking Berdych at 6-5 to take the first set.
Both players settled down to start the second set. Berdych had chances to break in the fifth game of the second set but was unable to convert. The match was delayed in the second set with Djokovic leading 3-2 due to rain.
Berdych came out of the 70-minute rain delay red hot winning three straight games and four out of five to win the second set 6-4. Djokovic regrouped in the third set and ran out to a 4-0 lead. Berdych fought back to 5-3 before Djokovic was able to serve it out.
Djokovic’s dominant season continues looking very much like the player we saw the game in 2011. He has now won 18 of the last 40 Master 1000s and won four Master 1000 titles in a row. Djokovic won in the next two Master 1000s in Madrid and in Rome in 2011
Overall Berdych had a solid week in Monte-Carlos and should be happy with his performance. However, Master 1000 titles and Grand Slams still elude him. His only Master 1000 title came almost a decade ago in 2005 in Paris.
Berdych has won the smaller tournaments and made deep runs in a lot of Master 1000 events but just seems not to be able to get over the hump. Berdych’s only win against a big four player since 2013 was against a lackluster Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open quarterfinals.
Both players are not scheduled to play till Madrid and Rome in early May. So they will have a few weeks off to regroup and make the adjustments needed. Djokovic will look to continue his momentum in Master 1000s and prove why he should be the favorite going in to the French Open. Berdych, on the other hand, will still be looking to break through and win his first Master 1000 on clay and maybe get in to the French Open title discussions.
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