No. 12 Tomas Berdych has defeated No. 3 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3 for his first career victory over Djokovic and, more importantly, a spot in Sunday’s Wimbledon final.
Another double fault at a crucial juncture by Djokovic turned out to be costly. down break point at 3-4, giving Berdych a chance to serve for the final at 5-3.
And unlike in the second set when his nerves got the better of him, Berdych showed no shakiness in the third, serving out the game and the match to 15, putting him into his first grand slam final at age 24.
At No. 12, Berdych becomes the lowest ranked player to make the Wimbledon final since 2003, when unseeded Mark Philippoussis was runner up to Roger Federer.
Berdych will be the underdog against either Nadal or Murray in the final, but his shot-making and serve is better than either of theirs, so he certainly has a chance.