By Erik Gudris | Saturday, October 18, 2014
Tomas Berdych and Grigor Dimitrov face off in Sunday's Stockholm Open final that has implications for both in the race to London.
Photo Credit: Stockholm Open Facebook
Two men still battling for a spot in the upcoming ATP Tour Finals in London will hope to gain valuable points and take home the Stockholm Open title on Sunday.
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Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, who has delighted the Swedish crowds all week with his shotmaking tricks, survived a second set scare from Australia's Bernard Tomic in their semifinal.
Dimitrov easily won the opening set, but found himself down in the second 1-4. But Tomic was unable to convert on several set point chances and failed to serve it out while up 5-3. That allowed Dimitrov the chance to mount a comeback that included chasing down every ball during this point late in the set.
Soon, Dimitrov with a big serve of his own sealed the 6-3, 7-5 win.
"I like my chances," Dimitrov said to ATP.com about his thoughts on the final. "I never dislike my chances if I'm in the final. It's a nice place to be again. I would love to defend a title every single week. It brings the best out in you so for me it's a really nice place to be in."
No. 1 seed Tomas Berdych earned his 50th win of the season with a tight semifinal victory of his own.
Qualifier Matthias Bachinger served for the opening set against Berdych. But the Czech took advantage when Bachinger could not close it out and soon forced a tiebreak. Again saving a set point, Berdych took the breaker 7-6(7).
Despite trading breaks in the second set, Berdych went on to win 7-6(7), 6-4.
Berdych and Dimitrov will now hope to win the title but also add points in the quest to qualify for London. Berdych currently sits in seventh place in the standings with Dimitrov a little further behind in 11th place.