Czech Tomas Berdych claimed victory in the third set of a close final at the Shenzen Open in China Sunday, winning his first tour title of the season. He defeated long-time adversary Richard Gasquet with a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3 win in their 15th meeting on the court.
The two traded games for two hours and 40 minutes with Gasquet coming from behind in the second set. But Berdych stayed cool, serving strong to clinch the cup.
The victory puts the 31-year old at ninth place in the standings, just a hair short of a top eight ticket to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. It would be his seventh appearance at the London tournament.