Berdych beats Tomic to reach Australian Open quarters
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Tomas Berdych reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the fifth consecutive year with a 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2 win over local hope Bernard Tomic.
With his new fiancee Ester Satorova watching from the stands, the seventh-seeded Berdych hit 52 winners and broke Tomic four times to advance to a matchup with Rafael Nadal.
Berdych reached the quarters for the third straight year without dropping a set. He advanced to his first Australian Open semifinal last year, but lost to eventual champion Stan Wawrinka.
Nadal has an 18-3 record over Berdych and hasn't lost to the Czech player since 2006.
Berdych said, "I'm going to try to fight to the last point and bring something extra from myself."
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic plays a shot to Bernard Tomic of Australia during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
The Associated Press
Bernard Tomic of Australia wipes the sweat from the face as he plays Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
The Associated Press