Czeching out Berdych

Day 3 and match one on Hisense Arena offered me my first look at 7th seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic and Belgian Olivier Rochus who seems to have been around forever and is just as short. This was round two action.

Despite a satisfying all round 2011, Berdych failed to make the desired impact on the 4 majors, having made the Wimbledon final the previous year. Rochus continues to deliver the absolute limit of his capabilirties and often achieves results that on paper just shouldn't happen. At Wimbledon last year he was unlucky not to kick Del Potro out of the tournament.

Both players had comfortable first round wins, Rochus in straight sets over Germany's Phau, Berdych in four sets over Spain's Ramos.

For two games the match-up between the 2 Europeans went to serve and the ground strokes from the back of the court were good. Rochus immediately assumed the role of counter puncher due to safety requirements - the power of Berdych was a danger to Olivier's health if not life. From 1-1 the Czech party proceeded in full swing. Hitting winners from every part of the court and even from outside the stadium if necessary, Berdych reprised the form which he displayed to the people of Perth in the Hopman Cup where he monstered the opposing nations especially the women in the mixed doubles.

Losing to Bernard Tomic as Tomas did at Kooyong is also proving to be passable form given the Australian's run of success so far.

Eleven successive games to Berdych had Rochus on the mat two sets down 6-1 6-0 in a tick under the hour.

Olivier came out in the third set a new man which was appropriate since the old version had certainly reached its use by date. The city of Melbourne erupted as the Belgian held serve to take the lead in the set and announce to the world at large that this may be the turning point of the match.

The third set did force Berdych to find an even greater level thanks to Rochus finally entering the fray in a serious manner. Serve was held for twelve games and the tiebreaker ultimately went to Berdych, together with the match 6-1 6-0 7-6. Special merit badge goes to Rochus for courage in the face of enormous fire, and a determination to take something positive away from the clash. The final set lasted about along as the first two combined. Berdych may yet be a factor into the second week.