World number one Novak Djokovic maintained a perfect 24-0 win streak at the China Open on Sunday after defeating Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic 6-0, 6-2. The Serbian tennis superstar did not drop a set all week. The win means he has successfully defended the 500 ranking points and received $604,000 in prize money.
“This has been, in the circumstances, probably the best performance of any final in my career,” said Djokovic. “It was incredible. Incredible. Especially against Tomas, who has a big game and is already an experienced player. It was 6-0, 5-0 in under an hour. Everything I tried worked. To be proud of the performance is the least I can say of how I played tonight.”
“I have played some great finals, had some convincing wins, some straight-set wins against top rivals. But with this kind of performance and with this domination result-wise, I mean it’s never happened.”
This is the pair’s first meeting this year and Djokovic is now 16-2 in their head to head series. Berdych is aiming to perform well in the next few weeks in a bid to qualify once more for the ATP World Tour Finals in London. He’s in seventh place following this runner-up finish.
“I met somebody in the final who I’ve never seen before,” said Berdych, the 2011 winner said. “The way that he performed today was really outstanding. There is really not much I can add to that because, really, I was just swept off the court.
“I just said to my coach now that I probably played over 700 matches in my career, and I met guys like Andre, Roger, all those probably in their best times. But I have never, ever experienced anything like that.”
In doubles, Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau continued their bid for a place in London by winning the title and defeating Vasek Pospisil and Julien Benneteau 6-7, 7-5, 10-5.
“It was a tough match,” said Rojer. “We had some chances early in the match. We were a break up twice, but they broke us back. They were playing very well. We were down a break in the second set and that’s where the match was hanging really. We managed to keep fighting and get the break back. It was an extremely difficult match. Tough opponents.”
