PARIS, 7 November 2005 — Tomas Berdych sealed one of the shocks of the season when he tamed in-form Croatian Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4 to win the Paris Masters on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Czech, ranked 50th in the world, held his nerve in the five-set thriller to end the brilliant indoor run of sixth seed Ljubicic and capture his first Masters Series title. The unseeded Berdych wasted three match points before hitting a backhand winner to secure victory after just over three hours of pulsating tennis.
Ljubicic, who had won 20 of his last 22 matches to clinch titles in Metz and Vienna before stretching Rafael Nadal to five sets in the Madrid Masters final, still has plenty to look forward to. His Paris campaign won him a ticket to the eight-strong Masters Cup from Nov. 13 in Shanghai. The 26-year-old will also carry Croatian hopes in their Davis Cup final against Slovakia.
Ljubicic recovered from two sets down to force a decider and unleashed 28 aces but it was not enough to stop Berdych from becoming the second youngest winner of the tournament.
Berdych had a great start, breaking Ljubicic in the fourth game and staying on top until he took the set with an ace after 32 minutes.
The second set was tight until Berdych broke his opponent with perfect timing, a backhand volley giving him a 5-4 lead and enabling him to serve for the set.
Dementieva, Mauresmo Advance to Advanta Final
In Villanova, Pennsylvania, Amelie Mauresmo advanced to the finals of the Advanta Championships by defeating Nicole Vaidisova 7-5, 7-5 Saturday night, ending the teenager’s 18-match winning streak.
Mauresmo, the two-time defending champion, was to meet Elena Dementieva yesterday. Dementieva reached the finals when Nadia Petrova withdrew from their semifinal match because of a foot injury.
Mauresmo, ranked fourth, overcame Vaidisova’s booming serves and fierce groundstrokes, breaking serve in the decisive game of each set.
A frustrated Vaidisova scolded herself a few times during the first set, and once angrily hit a ball into the net after losing a point. One point away from losing the first set, Vaidisova rallied twice only to give it away after she double faulted.
Frazier Battles Arvidsson in Quebec Final
In Quebec, Amy Frazier upset top-seeded Nathalie Dechy of France 6-4, 7-5 Saturday and will play for the Bell Challenge title against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.
Arvidsson, seeded eighth, advanced when third-seeded Marion Bartoli of France withdrew from their semifinal after first game of the second set, complaining of chills and dizziness. Arvidsson was leading 1-0 after taking the first set 6-4.
Bartoli’s withdrawal forced the cancelation of her doubles semifinal with partner Maria Salerni of Argentina. Liga Dekmeijere of Latvia and Ashley Harkleroad of the US advanced to Sunday’s doubles final against Anastassia Rodionova and Elena Vesnina, both of Russia.
