Berdych to face Cilic for Rotterdam title

Third-seeded Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic will show down Sunday for the Rotterdam World Tennis ATP title.

Czech Berdych defeated 24th-ranked Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-2 Saturday while Cilic lost serve for the first time this week but recovered for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win over Dutchman Igor Sijsling, reported Xinhua.

Berdych is bidding for his first ATP title since October 2012 and was the only member of the ranking top 10 not to lift a trophy during 2013 despite reaching the quarterfinals or better in 15 of his 23 tournaments.

Berdych took the initiative with a break for 3-1 in the opening set, enough of a margin to win it for a solid early lead.

Gulbis was unable to make inroads in the second set as Berdych tightened his grip, earning a break for 5-2 after saving the only break point he faced in the match in the fourth game.

The Czech then claimed victory from two consecutive unforced errors from Gulbis.

The 37th-ranked Croatian, who will be trying to win a second straight trophy after triumphing in Zagreb last week, owns 10 titles and had won 16 straight sets before falling in the first to an inspired Sijsling.

Berdych beat Cilic in their last meeting on grass at Queen's in 2013 and has won four of their six previous meetings.