Berdych trumps Vesely in all-Czech one-set shootout
After being left furious at having to play in failing light on Monday, Tomas Berdych returned to court on Tuesday to defeat Jiri Vesely.
Tomas Berdych returned to court on Tuesday to see off Jiri Vesely 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (9-11) 6-3 and book a Wimbledon quarter-final berth.
Back on Court Three after Monday's action had been halted due to poor light at two sets all, the match was essentially reduced to a one-set shootout.
Berdych – a 2010 finalist at the All England Club – had been left fuming when play was suspended, requesting a move to Centre Court to finish the all-Czech showdown under its roof and lights.
The lack of light had Berdych complaining of an inability to see the ball, while HawkEye's withdrawal due to its failure to work in low light did little to improve his worsening mood, with Vesely capitalising to save three match points before edging a thrilling fourth-set tie-break.
However, the 10th seed had regained his composure a day later, as Vesely was left helpless by his experienced compatriot.
Vesely's power dominated world number one Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo in the clay-court season, but the left-hander's accuracy completely deserted him from the off.
A string of wayward groundstrokes that drifted beyond the baseline handed Berdych an immediate break of serve and, although Vesely broke back in game six after a number of punishing baseline battles, he was again his own worst enemy to throw the match away.
Serving at 40-30 up, the left-hander opted to watch a Berdych return and challenge its legitimacy, but HawkEye found it had clipped the line, before a mishit wide and double fault had Vesely behind again.
Vesely wilted from there, Berdych winning eight of the next 10 points to book a meeting with Lucas Pouille in the last eight, his fourth quarter-final at the tournament.