Federer defeats Berdych to win Madrid – World Tennis News

This week’s World Tennis News looks at victories for Roger Federer and Serena Williams on the blue clay courts at the Mutua Madrid Masters

Battling Federer edges out Berdych to win in Madrid

Roger Federer fought past Tomas Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 to win his 74th career title and record equalling 20th Masters 1000 shield at the Mutua Madrid Masters.

A Federer victory looked unlikely early on as sixth seeded Berdych raced out of the blocks with some huge groundstrokes. A blistering backhand return winner gave the Czech a break of serve in the second game and he maintained the advantage to wrap up the opener after 36 minutes.

The Swiss No.3 seed responded by breaking for 2-0 in the second set with an inside out forehand winner. Federer built a 5-2 lead but missed a set point serving for the set in the ninth game and was Berdych broke back. A Federer forehand return winner at 6-5 created two further set points and Berdych double faulted as the match went into a decider.

Berdych put Federer under huge pressure with three break points early in the third set but the former World No.1 hung on. In a dramatic eighth game Berdych saved three consecutive break points with aces before double faulting twice to concede serve.

However the Swiss could not close out the match at 5-4 as Berdych broke back with a backhand return onto the line. Two games later with the Czech serving at 5-6 Federer setup three match points.   Berdych saved the first two but netted a short forehand on the third to seal a hard fought victory for Federer after two hours and 38 minutes.

His fourth title of 2012 ensures Federer reclaims the World No.2 ranking for the first time in fourteen months. The 30 year-old is the first man to claim the title in Madrid three times having also won in 2006 and 2009.

Federer has won three of the last five ATP Masters 1000 titles. Read about Federer's win in Indian Wells.

Stat Attack – Federer

• The victory gives Federer a sixth Masters 1000 shield on clay
• The 30 year-old has won 7 of his last 10 tournaments and 45 of his last 48 matches
• 2006 was the last season in which Federer won four titles heading into the French Open

Stat Attack – Berdych

• Berdych has been ranked in the top 10 every week since 5th July 2010 and has been ranked 7th every week since 10th October 2011
• The Czech had won three of the last five meetings with Federer

Superb Serena blasts past Azarenka for Madrid title

Serena Williams produced a superb display of power tennis to comfortably defeat World No.1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 and lift her first title at the Mutua Madrid Masters.

The 30 year-old American roared into a 4-0 lead in the opening set with two breaks of the Azarenka serve. The Belarusian had a chance to get one of the breaks back in the sixth game but missed a forehand. Serving at 1-5 a fourth double fault handed Williams the opening set after 27 minutes.

Serena Williams by Getty Images

The ninth seeded former World No.1 did not let up in the second set with a winning forehand return giving her a 2-0 lead.  Azarenka raised her level to hold serve three times and stay in contention.

Serving for the match at 5-3 Williams created three championship points and a 14th ace sealed her 41st career title after 64 minutes.

Williams is now riding a 13 match clay court winning streak.  Read about Serena's victory in Charleston.

Stat Attack – Williams

• Serena moves back up to 6th in this week’s rankings, her highest since the 2011 Australian Open
• The only previous season Williams has won two clay court titles was 2002 when she won Rome and Roland Garros
• The 30 year-old now holds 13 career victories over No.1 ranked players and extends her head to head lead over Azarenka to 7-1

Stat Attack – Azarenka

• The Belarusian falls to a 1-5 record in WTA clay court finals
• Azarenka has amassed over $4 million in prize money since the start of the year