Tomas Berdych has booked his place in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with a straight-sets victory over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
The Czech player came through 6-4 6-3 after one hour and 29 minutes of tennis.
There was little to separate the two players in the opening set, with both holding serve. However, Berdych made the crucial break in the final game to take the set.
Tsonga had a chance to break the Berdych serve early in the second set, but the Czech player saved three break points before winning the game.
Tsonga spurned two further opportunities to break serve and Berdych took advantage, breaking in the eighth game to move 5-3 ahead.
The world number six held his nerve to serve out the set and seal his progression into the next round.
Steven Toplis
