Tomas Berdych Wins China Open

Tomas Berdych stepped up his bid to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals as he won the China Open.

It has been a consistent season for the for the Czech player but has had failed to lift a title until now - beating Marin Cilic in the final.

But Berdych, who is now seventh in the race for London, had to come from a set down as Cilic dropped just three games in the opening exchanges.

But Berdych hit back in the second he broke early - but he was unable to hold onto that lead as Cilic broke back in the seventh game to get things back on serve.

Berdych's serve game under pressure again two games later but he was able to hold off the challenge from Cilic.

He got the break in the next game to seal the set 6-4 and take the match into a third and final set.

It was more comfortable for Berdych in that third set as Cilic's challenge began to melt away - Berdych dropped just a single game to win 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Speaking to the ATP after the match Berdych said: To win this title means really a lot to me because it's after 29 months.

"It was quite a long time, so I'm happy that I could break this up. I think I couldn't have a better place to win a title than here in Beijing.

"I did a great move to have a good chance to qualify for London. Still, these two weeks in Shanghai and Paris I really need to do well. I want to do well.

"It just gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season and for the rest of the tournaments. So I'm really looking forward to that. I hope I can keep my level of game what I did and hopefully to win even more matches."

Berdych will be looking to build on this success this week as the Shanghai Masters got underway today.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw