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 Novak Djokovic became the first man to win titles
at the first three Masters 1000 events of the season as he beat Tomas
Berdych 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in a rain-interrupted final in Monte Carlo on
Sunday.
Djokovic also won his 17th straight match of 2015 as he added the
major clay trophy in the principality to his Indian Wells and Miami
titles in a match marred by a 70-minute rain delay as he led 3-2 in
the second set.
Djokovic claimed his 52nd career title and 23rd in a Masters. He now
stands a comfortable 19-2 over Berdych, the sixth seed.
"It was a tough match, a particular match," said Djokovic of an
afternoon lasting nearly two and three-quarter hours on court plus
the weather pause.
"Tomas played a great match and deserves this trophy as much as I do.
It was a good final, but bad luck today."
Djokovic now owns two Monte Carlo titles after winning his first in
2013. The loss prevented Czech Berdych from reaching a career-high
number four ranking.
Djokovic won a fourth consecutive Masters title, including his trophy
at the end of 2014 at Paris Bercy,

"What can I say," said Berdych. "Novak had another excellent week, I
tried my best but it was not good enough today.
"I'm missing that one step in my clay game but I'm gonna work to
raise my game that little bit. I'll do what I can to make that happen
and hope to come back next year and go a step further"."
The second set was the only set Djokovic dropped all week as he
improved his season record to 30-2.
In the third set, Djokovic got off to a fast start with two breaks
and a 4-0 lead before Berdych hauled one break back and then saved a
match point in the penultimate game with a powerful overhead winner.
But Djokovic closed out victory a game later on his second winning
chance as Berdych returned a serve long.