Berdych, Monfils win in France
02/04/2012 10:35:34 PM
Top seed Tomas Berdych set up a clash with Gael Monfils in the final of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
The Czech proved too good for seventh seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in their semi-final, winning 6-3 6-4 in one hour and 23 minutes.
The world number seven amazingly won all 34 points on his first serve throughout the match and saved all five break points he faced to beat the German for the seventh time in eight meetings.
Berdych will be aiming to lift his seventh career trophy, with his last win coming in the China Open last year.
Third seed Monfils, meanwhile, advanced to the final with a 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 win over French compatriot Gilles Simon.
In a contest that lasted almost two-and-a-half hours, Monfils saved a match point before overcoming world number 12 Simon.
Both players made four breaks in an exciting match that saw Monfils hit 18 aces and 11 double faults.
Berdych has only played Monfils twice, but has won both matches in straight sets.