Czech 19-Year-Old Berdych Wins First Title at ATP Palermo
Posted on October 4, 2004No. 8 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic defeated crowd-favorite Italian and No. 5 seed Filippo Volandri 6-3, 6-3 Sunday in the final at the claycourt ATP stop at Palermo.
The 19-year-old is the first Czech winner of 2004, and had never previously reached further than the quarterfinals at an ATP event.
Both Berdych and Volandri will move into the Top 40 on the ATP Rankings.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to win my first ATP title," Berdych said. "I have won other tournaments before, like challengers, but everything is bigger and more important at the ATP level. I will fly home tonight and will take the next couple of days off so I can celebrate with family and friends."
In other words, break out the Pilsner Urquell Original Golden. Berdych went for his serve in the match from the onset, looking to keep the points short.
"The key in the final was my serve, I had to serve well not to get into too many rallies with Volandri who is better than me from the back of the court," Berdych said. "I was calm before the match, I never really have problem with nervousness before a big match."
In the Saturday doubles final, Arnold/Hood defeated Etlis/Rodriguez 7-5, 6-2 in the all-Argentine final to successfully defend for their third title of the year.
The 19-year-old is the first Czech winner of 2004, and had never previously reached further than the quarterfinals at an ATP event.
Both Berdych and Volandri will move into the Top 40 on the ATP Rankings.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to win my first ATP title," Berdych said. "I have won other tournaments before, like challengers, but everything is bigger and more important at the ATP level. I will fly home tonight and will take the next couple of days off so I can celebrate with family and friends."
In other words, break out the Pilsner Urquell Original Golden. Berdych went for his serve in the match from the onset, looking to keep the points short.
"The key in the final was my serve, I had to serve well not to get into too many rallies with Volandri who is better than me from the back of the court," Berdych said. "I was calm before the match, I never really have problem with nervousness before a big match."
In the Saturday doubles final, Arnold/Hood defeated Etlis/Rodriguez 7-5, 6-2 in the all-Argentine final to successfully defend for their third title of the year.