Paris, France – Tomas Berdych became the latest high- profile loser at the $3.15 million BNP Paribas Masters, the final ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the year.
The fifth-seeded Berdych was ousted by France's Gilles Simon in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in Friday's quarterfinal action at Bercy's Palais Omnisports. Simon broke Berdych's serve three times, compared to only one break for the Czech slugger in a 1-hour, 51-minute affair.
The former Wimbledon runner-up Berdych was the Paris Masters champion back in 2005.
Second-seeded Novak Djokovic lost in the second round here on Wednesday, while third-seeded Andy Murray and previously red-hot Juan Martin del Potro both exited the draw in the third round on Thursday, and top-seeded and defending champ Roger Federer pulled out of Paris on Sunday, one day before the tournament commenced.
Another upset came when 6-foot-8 emerging Pole Jerzy Janowicz topped eighth- seeded Serb Janko Tipsarevic 3-6, 6-1, 4-1, as Tipsarevic retired while trailing in the third set. The qualifier Janowicz, who stunned Murray on Thursday, fired 11 aces past Tipsarevic.
The newest Paris Masters titlist will pocket $620,000.
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