Novak Djokovic has won the Monte Carlo Masters after recording a three-set victory over Tomas Berdych
The world number one had to dig deep to take the first set, but, after a rain delay, Berdych powered his way to the second to take the match into a decider.
However, Djokovic stormed into a 4-0 advantage and, although Berdych pulled one of the breaks back, he could not find another to stop his opponent from securing a 7-5 4-6 6-3 win.
Read Sports Mole's game-by-game updates below to see how the action unfolded on Sunday afternoon.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Monte Carlo Masters final between Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych.
After another dominant week in a Masters Series event, world number one Novak Djokovic has the opportunity to extend his unbeaten run to 18 matches against Tomas Berdych this afternoon. The Czech player wasn't expected to make it to today's final but he's impressed in Monte Carlo and is well rested after benefiting from an injury to Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals.
However, if the head-to-head record is anything to go by, Berdych is in for a tough afternoon. The world number eight has won just two times in 20 encounters with the Serbian, including the last five meetings. However, Berdych does hold a win over Djokovic on clay, albeit two years ago in Rome.
Surprisingly, given Rafael Nadal's dominance in previous years, Djokovic has already won the tournament in Monte Carlo. That came back in 2013 when he defeated the Spaniard in straight sets, while he lost to Roger Federer in the semi-finals 12 months ago. As for Berdych, he hasn't progressed past the last 16 in the past two years, but those efforts are now a distant memory.
The two players have completed their warm-ups, and we look just about ready to begin. It will be Djokovic to serve first.
BREAK! Djokovic starts the match poorly, committing two errors to fall 15-30 behind before Berdych rips a backhand down the line for two break points. The Czech hitter looks like he will place an emphasis on attack and it works for him as Djokovic miscues from the back of the court.
Berdych follows up the break of serve with a hold to 15. It's more of Djokovic's own doing rather than anything else though. He just hasn't got going so far.
The world number finally shows signs of settling into this match by racing to a 40-0 advantage, before Berdych benefits from a net cord to remain in the game. However, it's not for long as Djokovic comes through with a comfortable hold.
The Berdych forehand is in perfect working order right now. At 30-15, the world number eight steps into court and crushes a top-spin forehand into the corner. It's a marvellous shot. He holds to 15 for the second service game in succession.
For someone who has lost so many times to the same opponent, Berdych is refreshingly confident. He executes the finishing touches to another well-worked point midway through the game but it's not enough to stop Djokovic holding to 30.
BREAK! At 30-15, Berdych looks on course for a comfortable hold but he gifts Djokovic a way back into the game by firing a routine forehand wide of the mark. The Czech then nets to allow Djokovic his first break-point chance of the match but a superb second serve gets him out of trouble. However, he repeats his mistake on the forehand wing and on this occasion, Djokovic breaks through. We are back on serve.
Djokovic has upped the ante now. He's moving Berdych all over the court and the Czech has no answer. All of a sudden, this next service game is huge for the underdog.
BREAK! And just like that Djokovic is serving for the set. His second break of serve was a mixture of good shots and errors from Berdych, and although the Czech saved one break point, he went long on the second.
BREAK! Berdych smashes his way to a 0-30 advantage but back comes Djokovic, who executes a simply ridiculous backhand lob to get back to 30-30. However, two Djokovic mistakes later and Berdych breaks back!
A couple of games ago, Djokovic looked in the groove but he's lost his usual consistent touch. Berdych holds to love and we are entering an important period in the match. You feel as though Berdych needs to win this set.
At 15-30, Berdych looks ready to strike but he makes a couple of mistakes before Djokovic holds with an ace.
SET! After taking the opening point, Berdych goes off the rails and three errors later, Djokovic has a couple of set points. Both are saved brilliantly, but Djokovic senses his chance and a forehand into the corner forces the error.
Berdych needs a fast start to this set and he makes one in getting to 0-30. Back comes Djokovic though, who fires a terrific passing shot past the out-stretched reach of the Czech at the net. Berdych nets on the next two points and Djokovic takes an early lead in the second.
Berdych powers to a love hold to tell his opponent that he isn't prepared to back down in this match. It's a long way back, but if he can produce those types of service games on a regular basis, who knows.
Berdych has a sniff at 15-30 but Djokovic fights back to game point. Berdych remains in the game but a big first serve gets the job done for the Serbian as he keeps the pressure on his opponent.
Berdych looks on course for a routine hold at 40-0 but Djokovic attacks to get back in the game before Berdych goes long with a backhand. Djokovic gets a break point, but a huge first serve and delicate drop shot get Berdych out of trouble.
The momentum in this match is changing on a game-by-game basis. Djokovic plays a sloppy first three points, with a double fault gifting Berdych three break points. However, after Berdych misses an easy volley, he gets back to deuce before coming through with the hold, much to the frustration of the Czech.
It's looks as though we are going to have a delay here. The rain has been coming down for the last 30 minutes but it's increased in intensity over the past few minutes.
There hasn't been any indication whether this is just a passing shower or an extended spell of rain. Fingers crossed it doesn't last long! We are going to bring a temporary halt to our coverage but we will be back when we have some news.
It's still raining in Monte Carlo but Boris Becker, the coach of Djokovic, has just tweeted this...
Looks like the clouds are moving....could be back on court soon !!!
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) April 19, 2015
Word has come out that they are aiming for a 4.15pm resumption in Monte Carlo if there is no more rain. Keep everything crossed!
After an hour delay, the players have finally returned to court and are currently going through a five-minute warm-up. When we get back underway, it will be Berdych to serve.
As expected, Djokovic is looking to catch Berdych cold and some aggressive play helps him reach 30-30. More of the same forces another mistake out of Berdych to bring up break point, but the Czech player responds magnificently, pummelling Djokovic on both wings to level the set at 3-3.
BREAK! The pair trade blows from the back of the court but it's Berdych who looks the stronger after smashing two returns straight back at Djokovic. The world number responds with a stunning forehand that clipped the line but a double fault gives Berdych a second opening, and this time, he takes when Djokovic nets after a punishing rally.
Berdych has the grit between his teeth now and he holds to 15. Djokovic looks like a man who is struggling for answers, despite his dominance over Berdych over the years.
Berdych looks like he is going to break for a second time in succession at 0-30, but Djokovic rediscovers his form to record four points in a row. That was much better. Big test for Berdych coming up as he attempts to take the match into a decider.
SET! There are signs that the pressure might get to Berdych when he drills a backhand wide, but he responded brilliantly, putting away a smash for 40-15 before drawing another mistake out of Djokovic. We are going the distance!
Djokovic looks intent on regaining a bit of authority on this match as he sweeps into a 40-0 advantage before executing the perfect drop shot. His focus was back in that game.
BREAK! You have to give credit to Berdych. He's not once looked like going into his shell, but sometimes, the aggressive approach brings unnecessary mistakes. He has 40-15 but that soon becomes deuce after two forehand errors before a third gives a break point to the world number one. Djokovic doesn't have to do much to convert that either as Berdych fires long from the baseline.
It's a similar story in the next game. Berdych opens a 15-30 advantage but he goes for too much on his shots during three successive points and Djokovic is halfway there.
BREAK! The defence of Djokovic is astounding at times and it's frustrating Berdych now. More errors come from the baseline and the world number one has 0-30. Berdych hauls himself back, but two more mistakes follow and Djokovic has the double break. This should be a formality now.
BREAK! Maybe not! Berdych squanders 0-15 and 15-30 leads but Djokovic is becoming predictable with his drop shot-lob combo and twice in succession, the Czech puts away the smash.
Berdych is rejuvenated and he powers his way to 30-0 but Djokovic is wary of the life still present in his opponent's game and fights back to earn two break points. However, he can't take two half-chances and Berdych holds.
When Djokovic makes an error on the first point of the next game, the danger signs are there but he responds well to earn two game points. However, Berdych is inspired and he crushes a stunning winner from the baseline to bring up a chance to get back on serve, but after that chance goes begging, Djokovic digs in to move one game away from the title.
I think the crowd want to see a bit more tennis! Huge cheers greet Berdych's progress to 40-0 but Djokovic remains solid and find his way back to 40-30. Berdych then miscues a cross-court backhand to take the score to deuce, before he goes long to give Djokovic a match point. Berdych isn't finished though, and he goes toe-to-toe with the world number one to remain in the match.
MATCH! Djokovic starts his service game with a forehand winner into the corner but Berdych responds with a flat backhand down the line. The world number one ups the ante though, and after bringing up two match points, he takes the first when Berdych goes long with a backhand.
It was a gruelling match, but Djokovic finally gets the job done in three sets. Berdych deserves huge amounts of credit for not only his performance, but his fighting spirit. On other occasions, he would have let that match get away from him.
That will be all from Sports Mole coverage of this game. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
