Novak Djokovic continued his awe-inspiring run of form to claim the Monte Carlo Masters title with a 7-5 4-6 6-3 win over Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych.
The Serbian world number one became the first player to clinch the opening three Masters titles of the season after he triumphed in Indian Wells and Miami, notably seeing off nine-time French Open champion Rafa Nadal in Saturday’s semi-final.
Berdych, however, was no pushover in the final of the first tournament of the European claycourt season, which will culminate at Roland Garros from May 24-June 7.
Coming into the match with a 2-18 win-loss record against Djokovic, Berdych had little to lose and he started brightly, stealing the Serbian’s serve in the first game with a nice backhand winner down the line, allowing his opponent only two points in the first two games.
But the Czech started to make unforced errors and in no time Djokovic had moved from 3-1 down to 5-3 up.
Berdych kept battling and levelled for 5-5 after reeling off six points in a row in a see-saw contest that left Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, sliding back into his seat.
Berdych had his chance in the fifth game of the second set as he set up three break points but he wasted two of them with unforced errors and Djokovic saved the third with a service winner.
He won that game and the match was interrupted by rain for about 70 minutes.
Berdych broke for 4-3 on his third opportunity after putting Djokovic on the back foot and he took the set after winning 15 of 19 points on his first serve.
His form then nosedived as Djokovic raced to a 4-0 lead in the decider, but Berdych then clawed back one of breaks and even had another chance to break in the seventh game.
But once again, the Czech made unforced errors and was powerless to stop Djokovic from closing it out on his serve.