DUBAI // Tomas Berdych reckons he had “complicated” things for himself during a laborious first-round win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, but the Czech was glad to come through in straight sets.
The No 4 seed, a finalist here in 2013 and 2014, edged a scrappy first set in the tiebreaker after trading service breaks twice. Chardy hit 17 winners in that set to Berdych’s seven, but the Frenchman also made 16 more unforced errors (35 to 19) than his opponent.
Showing better control in the second set, Berdych broke Chardy for a 2-1 lead and finished 7-6, 6-4 in 92 minutes. “Some of the things were a little bit on my side, that I made it complicated a bit more than usual, but the outcome, it’s important that I won the last point of the match and got through it,” said Berdych, who lost to Roger Federer in last year’s final and to Novak Djokovic the year before.
“Not every day it’s going to be perfect. We don’t have to be perfect. So, you know, it was a solid day to make.”
Berdych’s next opponent in the last 16 is Simone Bolelli, who cruised past another Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-3.
The two last met in a Davis Cup clash in 2012, but the Italian, who is ranked No 52, has troubled the Czech in the past, winning two of their five duels. “He’s definitely the guy that’s playing really well these last couple of weeks,” Berdych said. “I mean, winning the doubles title in Melbourne [Australian Open], it also gives you a lot of confidence for your singles.
“So, you know, it’s not going to be an easy one to play, especially in these fast conditions. That’s what he likes.
“I’m going to definitely have to bring my better game, play better and just try to go for it again.”
Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the No 7 seed, is also through to the second round, defeating Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-2 to set up a clash with France’s Richard Gasquet.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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