Novak Djokovic defeats Tomas Berdych to claim Monte Carlo Masters title

Serb defeats Czech in three sets in Monaco.

Novak Djokovic against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during their final at the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco April 19, 2015. Reuters

Novak Djokovic saw off a spirited Tomas Berdych to claim the Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday .

It was the Serb’s 17th straight win as he looks in imperious form ahead of the French Open.

The first set it looked like it was going to a tie-break but Djokovic broke Berdych in Game 11 and then wrapped up the set 7-5 with a comfortable hold.

Berdych responded in style in the second, breaking the world No 1 and holdding his own on serve to clinch it 6-4.

That seemed to rile Djokovic, who raced into a double-break 4-0 lead in the third, before Berdych broke back and got to 4-2.

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The Czech Republic reached their fourth Fed Cup final in five years when Petra Kvitova beat Caroline Garcia 6-4, 6-4 to help the holders beat France 3-1 on Sunday.

They will face Russia, who beat Germany 3-2 in the other semi-final, in the Novemver 14-15 final.

Lucie Safarova earned the first Czech point by beating Garcia 4-6, 7-6, 6-1 on Saturday after saving five match points in front of a boisterous crowd at Ostrava’s CEZ arena.

Kvitova swept aside Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4 to make it 2-0.

World No 4 Kvitova was barely troubled on Sunday by Garcia, who threatened a second-set comeback when she bagged three games in a row after falling 5-1 down.

But Kvitova was just too good and wrapped up victory with a forehand winner to give her team an unassailable lead.

Mladenovic and Pauline Parmentier then beat Safarova and Barbora Strycova 0-6 6-3 10-8 in a doubles with nothing at stake.

“Kvitova was well above our players,” France captain Amelie Mauresmo said.

“Let’s face it, their four players were stronger than our number one on paper.”