Rotterdam, The Netherlands (SportsNetwork.com) – Stan Wawrinka rallied from a
set down to beat defending champion Tomas Berdych in Sunday’s final of the
ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.
The fourth-seeded Swiss improved to 14-1 this year with the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
victory and won his second tournament of 2015, having also captured the
Chennai title. The 2014 Australian champion’s lone loss came against Novak
Djokovic in the semifinals at Melbourne Park.
“It’s been an amazing week,” Wawrinka said. “It wasn’t easy, but every match I
found my way. It was a great final.”
Both players held serve in the opening six games until Wawrinka fired a
forehand long to be broken. The third-seeded Berdych saved one break point
before holding to close out the first set.
Wawrinka secured a break and a 5-3 lead in the second set when a Berdych
forehand found the net. He broke the third-seeded Czech at the start of the
third set and again for a 4-1 lead.
Berdych broke back in the next game, but Wawrinka went on to collect his ninth
career ATP title.
“I’m disappointed with the way the match finished,” Berdych said. “There can
only be one winner. I had my chances in the beginning of the second set and I
didn’t make them so I think that cost me the match.”
Wawrinka has won six straight matches against Berdych.