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Berdych defeats Del Potro to win Japan Open
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-05 17:22

Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic returns the ball to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their final match at the Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo October 5, 2008. [Agencies] 

Del Potro, seeded fifth, was looking to win his fifth title of the year but got off to a shaky start and wasn't able to recover.

He took some medicine for his stomach during the first set.

"I was a little confused with his game," said Del Potro. "After the first set, I started to play a little better but it was too late. I didn't have a chance to do anything with his game."

Berdych defeated second-seeded Andy Roddick in the semifinals to reach Sunday's final. Del Potro had defeated top-seeded David Ferrer in the quarterfinals before advancing to the final with a win over last year's runner-up Richard Gasquet of France.

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".