Tomas Berdych plays former champion Gael Monfils in the final of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Sunday afternoon.
Berdych clinched his seventh win in eight meetings with Philipp Kohlschreiber in Saturday's semi-finals, easing his way past the German 6-3, 6-4. Berdych's ferocious serving was the benchmark for his success, he didn't even drop a point when his first serve went in play and saved all five break points he faced.
"I felt a good rhythm on my serve from the beginning, and that was probably the key. Then, I was able to make those important breaks [of serve] and finish it in two sets," Berdych said. "My serve is one of the key aspects of my game. If my serve is working well, I start to feel more confident on court. I can be more aggressive on the return and put pressure on the opponent."
"My serve is one of the key aspects of my game. If my serve is working well, I start to feel more confident on court. I can be more aggressive on the return and put pressure on the opponent."
In contrast 2010 champion Monfils had to battle for nearly two and a half hours to see off second seed Gilles Simon 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 saving a match point on his serve at 5-6 in the second set.
Berdych is looking to lift the seventh ATP title of his career and he'll be the favourite on the back of Saturday's performance unless Monfils can rise to the occasion with the support of the home fans.
Prediction: Berdych in three.
