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Ferrer dropped a set in both previous meetings in Madrid

Berdych dealt with Istomin in a more of less easy way to improve his head-to-head record to 5-0. Ferrer dropped sets to Garcia-Lopez and Kudla. This is his first tournament since Miami and his form is clearly not top level

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Berdych hasn't had many slips this season but the defeat to Dzumhur in Monte Carlo was definitely one of them. A player of his level should not have allowed something like that. Istomin is not bad but he had only two ATP wins before Madrid and a 0-4 record in head-to-head matches. Thomas won the last three meetings easily. Berdych had enough reason for optimism, which proved to be justified at the end of the match. 

Both players converted break points in the first two games but Berdych took control after that and won rather easily. 

After 1-0 for Istomin, Berdych went on to allow him only one other game in that set. Istomin was tougher in his service games in the second set but ended up having no break points. Berdych converted a break points late in the match to record his 4th straight win over Isomin without allowing the opponent more than 4 games per set. 

Of course, he is now to meet a much more dangerous opponent. Ferrer struggled with an injury before Madrid and hasn't played since Miami. It is therefore no wonder he had a slightly poorer start against Garcia-Lopez in the first round. He dropped the opener but did great in the second and third sets. He went on to meet Kudla but hasn't really played his top game in that match. 

Of course, Kudla had a say in that as well. He played a very good game for the most part of the match. Ferrer would probably not have dropped a set on clay court to Kudla had he played his top game. Especially since he allowed him to get just one break point in two sets. Kudla forced the decider and Ferrer lost a service game in it. He ended up winning but it's obvious he will have to put up a good performance to beat Berdych.

- I need to be aggressive against Tomas and I need to have a high first serve percentage. When it miss the first serve, he'll make it tough for me to defend - David said. 

The Spaniard is 9-5 in head-to-head matches (3-2 on clay court). He has quite a few wins on hard court and in faster conditions against Tomas, which is quite important in this matchup. However, it is also clear that dropping sets against Garcia-Lopez and especially Kudla, plus the braek since Miami doesn't really send a good message about his form. This should be a close match in every segment. Two Top 10 players, neither of whom really has the upper hand here, especially in this kind of a situation.