By Adrianna Outlaw | Thursday, October 22, 2015

 

Top-seeded Tomas Berdych extended his Stockholm win streak to nine matches with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over sometime practice partner Alexander Zverev.

Photo credit: If Stockholm Open

Tomas Berdych has shared the practice court with Alexander Zverev in the past. Berdych was not in a benevolent mood when he squared off against the former ITF junior world No. 1 today.

The top-seeded Berdych launched defense of his Stockholm Open title with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 conquest of Zverev.

Video: Berdych on Rivals and Goals

Berdych, who hit seven aces and broke serve four times, is impressed with the 18-year-old Zverev.

"I spent some time with him for training weeks and some training blocks," Berdych said of Zverev. "I have to say he's quite a good kid. He's very talented, I think he has a very bright future in front of him.... He's definitely the kid that has all the aspects to be a good player."

Berdych extended his Stockholm winning streak to nine matches following title runs in 2012 and last year.

The 30-year-old Czech will face fifth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final four. Dimitrov defeated lucky loser Nicolas Almagro, 6-2, 6-4, in today's final match. Berdych beat Dimitrov, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, in the 2014 Stockholm Open final.

Second-seeded Richard Gasquet held a 6-1, 2-0 lead over Steve Darcis when the 81st-ranked Belgian retired with a left ankle injury.

"It was not the way I wanted to win, Steve is a friend," said Gasquet. "It's a tough week, with lots of very good players, but I will try my best."

The 12th-ranked Frenchman advanced to his eighth quarterfinal of the season. Gasquet holds a 2-0 career record over quarterfinal opponent Jeremy Chardy. The sixth-seeded Chardy defeated Federico Delbonis, 6-3, 7-6 (2), in the day's opening singles match. Chardy will contest his first quarterfinal since his run to the Montreal semifinals in August.