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| 30 Jun 2003 | |
| Berdych blasts past Weber at Wimbledon, top seed storms into second round |
By Eleanor Preston
The Czech Republic’s rising star Tomas Berdych justified his top billing at Wimbledon with an assured performance to beat Andreas Weber (GER) 7-5 6-4 and secure a place in the second round of the Wimbledon boys’ championship.
Berdych, who drew plenty of glances from spectators after choosing to wear a fashionable sleeveless tennis shirt for his match, is busy making a transition to the senior level and so Wimbledon is his first junior event of the year, but he looked right at home on the lush lawns of SW19.
“I am playing only ATP and professional events now but I thought I would come to Wimbledon because it’s my last chance,” said Berdych, 17.
The Czech says he feels he has plenty to prove at Wimbledon after compiling a record which does not make happy reading. “I lost first round two years ago, and second round last year, and so I’d like to try again because Wimbledon is so special.”
As close at the Championships are to his heart, Berdych admits that he is happiest on the baseline, so doesn’t always feel comfortable with grass beneath his feet.
“I don’t like it so much, I really prefer clay and hard courts,” said Berdych, who is seeded one in the draw. “I have a good serve which is good for grass but I am tall so it is more difficult to move on grass.”
Also in Berdych’s half of the draw, Russian qualifier Konstantin Kravchuk notched up one of the day’s more surprising results by knocking out Romania’s Adrian Ungar in emphatic style, 7-6 6-1.
Britain’s David Brewer, who, like Berdych, tends to flourish on slower surfaces, showed that he can cut it on grass too by beating US wildcard Adam Fass 6-2 6-2. Brewer, who is seeded 16th at the Championships, said he already felt more comfortable on the surface than 12 months ago.
“I’m so much happier than I was this time last year,” he said. “Back then I started off the grass court season really poorly then got better as I went along, this time around I feel like I have started a lot more confidently. I’m moving better and I’m starting to hit the ball a lot better. More than anything I want to enjoy it and learn a few things. The shots you use on a grass court, like volleys and slice, will also come in handy on other surfaces so it will be good to have them in the bag.”
In the girls’ competition America’s Ally Baker cemented her reputation as the in-form player in the draw by breezing past British wildcard Hannah Grady 7-5, 6-1. Baker, seeded seventh, is on a winning streak after winning the pre-Wimbledon tune up event in Roehampton last week. She now faces Zsuzsanna Babos of Hungary in round two.
Fifth seeded Russian Alisa Kleybanova has been earning plaudits for her tennis. The Russian, the youngest girl in the draw, had a tough battle on her hands against Canadian qualifier Stephanie Dubois but eventually prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
The day, which started under gun-metal grey clouds and driving rain and ended bathed in blue sky, also saw wins for Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, Jarmila Gajdosova (SVK) and Australia’s Casey Dellacqua.
Photos by Susan Mullane
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