Berdych tops Cilic in Rotterdam, ends title drought
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rotterdam, The Netherlands (SportsNetwork.com) - Third-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych beat Croat Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-2 in Sunday's final at the $1.85 million ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.
The hard-serving righties combined for 17 aces, including nine by the triumphant Berdych, who ended a 16-month title drought.
"It feels absolutely amazing," Berdych said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cilic was bidding to win titles in consecutive weeks, but he committed four double faults, had his serve broken three times and failed to convert all three of his break-point chances.
The world No. 7 Berdych was the lone player in the top 10 who failed to win a title last year, going 0-3 in finals. His last tournament victory came at Stockholm in October 2012.
Berdych captured his ninth career title and improved to 5-2 lifetime against Cilic.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The loss snapped a nine-match winning streak for Cilic, who successfully defended his crown at the Zagreb Indoors tournament in his native Croatia last week.
"I had a great run of nine (straight) wins and I hope to make that run soon again," Cilic said.