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Berd is the Word: Former World No. 4 Tomas Berdych is the only previous champion in the field other than Pouille. The Czech missed the second half of last year due to a back injury and has fallen to World No. 79, his lowest ranking in 15 years. But he has compiled an excellent 7-2 record in 2019, making the Doha final, as well as an 11th second-week showing at the Australian Open.

Berdych Passes Bachinger Test In Montpellier

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | ATP Staff

Seven years after lifting the trophy, Tomas Berdych made a winning return to the Open Sud de France on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old, who improves to 5-0 in Montpellier, recovered from a set down to beat Matthias Bachinger 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 12 minutes. Berdych landed 11 aces throughout the first-round contest and saved seven of 11 break points en route to victory.

Berdych has enjoyed an impressive return to action this year, after being forced to end his 2018 ATP Tour season in June, due to a back injury. The former World No. 4 reached his first final in over 19 months, in the opening week of this season, at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open (l. to Bautista Agut) before a straight-sets loss to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open fourth round.

Berdych will meet eighth seed Benoit Paire or Evgeny Donskoy of Russia for a quarter-final spot. The Czech owns a 3-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Paire and has not met Donskoy at tour-level.

Did You Know?

In 11 of the past 13 years, Berdych has reached the fourth round or better at the Australian Open.

Score and Stats - Berdych def. Bachinger 5-7,, 6-3, 6-3

Tomas Berdych in action against Matthias Bachinger of Germany during the first round match of the Open Sud de France Tennis Tournament at the Sud de France Arena on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in Montpellier, France. Berdych won 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Chair umpire Arnaud Gabas officiates the first-round match between Tomas Berdych and Matthias Bachinger of Germany during day three of the 2019 Open Sud de France Tennis Tournament, Court Patrick Dominguez, at the Sud de France Arena on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 Montpellier, France. Berdych won 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.