THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOKYO -- Tomas Berdych claimed his first singles title in 16 months with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Juan Martin Del Potro on Sunday to win the Japan Open.
The ninth-seeded Czech relied on strong serves and solid groundstrokes to beat the Argentine, whose was not able to show the form that had seen him win 29 of 30 matches going into the final.
"At this level of tennis, it's important to be consistent," said the 23-year-old Berdych, who had 11 aces. "I was able to do that all week and am thrilled to win the title."
.After struggling for much of this season, Berdych said he's starting to get his game back. He reached the semifinals of the Bangkok Open last month.
"In today's tennis everything is so close and tough," said Berdych. "It's all about having confidence on the court. If you win one or two matches everything can come together."
.In the women's event, top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki defeated fifth-seeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. It was the Dane's third singles title in as many months, having claimed events in Stockholm and New Haven
"She was serving really well in the second set and had the advantage," said Wozniacki. "I just tried to step it up in the third set and play better on my return and it worked out for me."
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