Novak Djokovic (1) beat Tomas Berdych (4) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win the 2015 ATP 1000 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters title. The win was the world No.1’s second Monte Carlo title, his 23 rd ATP 1000 trophy, and a fitting way to mark his 142nd week at No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
First set
Djokovic led Berdych 18-2 before the final, but the last time Berdych beat the Serbian was on the clay courts of Rome in 2013.
The Czech started the match playing like he believed he could repeat that win, earning break point with a backhand down the line winner. He then broke Djokovic with a barrage of forehands to force an error in the first game and consolidating for 2-0.
This was the tennis Berdych needed to produce if he was going to get his third win over Djokovic in 21 tries- clean hitting, controlled aggression.
Berdych though, who won his sole ATP 1000 title a decade ago in Madrid, has not been able to execute that kind of tennis for long stretches of time against the more consistent defensive minded top-ranked opponents and he could not keep the break advantage as he was broken back for 3-3.
Djokovic broke again and served for the set at 5-3, but could not serve it out as Berdych once more found another good pacth of form and got himself back into the set for 4-5.
The match continued with serve, but Berdych was at a disadvantage serving second to the game’s best returner on a clay court and trailing 5-6 and serving, he faced set points.
Some big serving, attacking tennis and a fine angled forehand kept Berdych in the set, but Djokovic earned set point no. 3 getting Berdych on the run and forcing an error and then converted set point when he pulled Berdych out wide and forced an error.
Second Set
In the second set, Berdych stayed positive, stayed with Djokovic and had three break points at 2-2, however Djokovic saved them before rain forced the players off the court for an hour.
Berdych came back from the break a player determined not to let similar chances slip away, and broke at 3-3 to lead 4-3.
The Czech, playing with much-needed aggression and consistency, then held serve twice more to take the second set 6-4 and level the match.
Third Set
Djokovic broke at the start of the third set, his superior match play coming into effect, and sped off into a 4-0 lead as he frustrated Berdych into error and put pressure on the return.
The Czech got himself back into the match, breaking back for 1-4, and holding another break point at 2-4, but he could not convert, and Djokovic held for 5-2.
Berdych saved a match point as he served to stay in the set, and won the game to keep his chances alive.
Djokovic did not offer Berdych any more opportunities though as he served for the match at 5-3. The world No.1 converted match point at 40-15 when a Berdych forehand went long, the Czech’s 51st error.
The championship win makes Djokovic the first man to win the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo in one season.
The Serb was far from his best- he hit 38 errors to 23 winners- yet still managed to beat an at times inspired opponent.
Djokovic’s consistency and smarter play were what made the difference against an opponent who hit 51 errors to 30 winners and too often blew his chances by over-hitting or going for broke too soon.
Djokovic will now rest for two weeks before the Madrid Open where he will try and become the first player to win the first four ATP 1000 titles of the season. In his current relentless mood, and with the opposition unable to beat him in ATP 1000 final matches- he has not lost one since 2012- it is hard not to see him achieving another piece of ATP 1000 history.
Commentary by Christian Deverille @thetennisreview
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