Berdych upsets top-seeded Federer at Wimbledon

Czech tennis player Tomáš Berdych caused a sensation on Wednesday at Wimbledon when he knocked out top-seed and defending champion Roger Federer. It is the first time the Czech has beaten the World No. 1 in a grand slam and represents his own first win on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Tomáš Berdych, photo: CTK

Twenty-four-year-old tennis player Tomáš Berdych was already having a great year having reached the semifinals at the French Open. But that, it appears, was just a beginning. On Wednesday, he stunned the tennis world by downing top-seed Roger Federer on Centre Court at Wimbledon – a championship Federer has won six times in seven years. In four sets, the Czech player served in excellent form, and was quick on the counterattack and it all paid off, securing him the biggest win of his career and a spot in the men’s semis. After the match, Berdych spoke to Czech Radio:

“You could say this is one of the toughest matches I have ever played. But I’m glad it worked out and I am happy it didn’t end with ‘Oh, he was close but it wasn’t enough’ or something like that. I am happy that things in the last game ended the way they did.”

Roger Federer, photo: CTK

Asked about Federer’s apparent leg and back pain, which the Swiss player complained of after the match, Tomáš Berdych said he wasn’t aware his opponent was in any kind of trouble. He stressed that during the match he focused mainly on the game – not what was happening to his opponent:

“I wasn’t even looking closely at what he was doing. I don’t concern myself with what other players do – whether they psyche themselves up or are frustrated or whatever. I don’t know why I should contemplate whether they’re having a problem or not. It’s enough for me to focus on what I have to do. Luckily, I managed that fairly well and was able to succeed.”

Novak Djokovic, photo: CTK

Berdych’s sensational win came just a day after female Czech player Petra Kvitová did the same in the women’s competition and she plays for a spot in the women’s final later on Thursday. Berdych, by comparison, will have a day to rest before he faces Serbian player Novak Djokovic. Incidentally, the last time a Czech player took part in the Wimbledon final was the legendary Ivan Lendl in 1987. Lendl, of course never won the grass-court championship. In 1987, the second of just two appearances in the final, he was defeated by Boris Becker.

Will Berdych be able to go one further than the semis? His coach is confident he could, but the 12th-seed is expected to face a decent battle from 3rd seed Djokovic. Whoever wins their match-up to go to the final will then face either Great Britain’s Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal of Spain.