Paris, France (Sports Network) - Tomas Berdych became the latest high-
profile loser at the $3.15 million BNP Paribas Masters, the final
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament of the year.
The fifth-seeded Berdych was ousted by France's Gilles Simon in straight sets,
6-4, 6-4, in Friday's quarterfinal action at Bercy's Palais Omnisports.
Simon broke Berdych's serve three times, compared to only one break for the
Czech slugger in a 1-hour, 51-minute affair.
The former Wimbledon runner-up Berdych was the Paris Masters champion back
in
2005.
Second-seeded Novak Djokovic lost in the second round here on Wednesday, while
third-seeded Andy Murray and previously red-hot Juan Martin del Potro both
exited the draw in the third round on Thursday, and top-seeded and defending
champ Roger Federer pulled out of Paris on Sunday, one day before the
tournament commenced.
The newest Paris Masters titlist will pocket $620,000.
The Sports Network