TOMAS BERDYCH, AGAIN DEALING WITH APPENDICITIS, MIGHT NEED SURGERY

Tomas Berdych has decided not to be an alternate at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, saying he is again experiencing appendicitis.

The 31-year-old was diagnosed with appendicitis in Cincinnati, and was sidelined for about a month.

"After discussion with doctors in Prague Hospital,” he wrote on Twitter, “I was recommended to have a break for two weeks, and then we will see what they’re gonna do with my appendix.”

A spokesperson for the Czech Tennis Federation said a decision about whether to have surgery would also be considered during the next two weeks.

"If I have to undergo surgery, I would like to do it as soon as possible so I can start getting ready for next season," Berdych said in a statement.

Berdych is No. 10 in the rankings.

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Stars visit St. Isaac's Cathedral to take in scenic city view

It was a day for sightseeing in St. Petersburg as Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic took time away from the St. Petersburg Open to visit the iconic St. Isaac cathedral on Tuesday. The duo were joined by Raonic’s girlfriend Danielle Knudson to take a tour of one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks, as well as a climb up a private staircase to the Balustrade where 12 bronze angels overlook St. Petersburg.

“I think it’s pretty special,” said Raonic, who will open his title defence in the Russian city against 2004 champion Mikhail Youzhny in the second round. “You can see most of fantastic cultural icons, monuments here in St. Petersburg. From this point atop St. Isaac’s Church, you can see everything and you really get to see how big St. Petersburg is, which sometimes you can really forget if you are driving a car. To climb to the Top of St Isaac’s Cathedral today was simply phenomenal."

“It was really interesting to get a tour and to go downstairs to see all the cathedral and to get so much information,” said Berdych. “It's a beautiful part of the city, so it was really interesting.

“The city is full of history and old architecture part and many other things as well. I'm coming from Prague, which is also a very historical city, so it’s always nice to see different parts of the city, the cathedral, the palaces and the stuff like this.” 

Though both players stand 6’5” tall, Berdych and Raonic admitted fighting their fear of heights in order to enjoy the vantage point. “I'm not the biggest fan of the heights. I'm afraid of that,” the Czech said. “I always managed with myself to see, because the view is really beautiful and something different when you can see the city from above.” 

“I’m not very good with heights,” the Canadian said. “The CN Tower in Toronto has to be the tallest place I’ve been to. I try to stay away of heights. Luckily, this structure has been around for over 600 years. So I definitely feel safe here.”

Berdych, the third seed, will face Andrey Kuznetsov in his opening match in the second round.

Tomas Berdych: ´I don´t know if I will play Olympics´

After Rory Mcllroy, another famous sportsman could not play Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August, and it's a tennis player. We are speaking about Tomas Berdych, who is a little bit afraid of Zika virus.

Berdych said he still plans to play Olympics, but he thinks about Zika: 'I just need to see how all the things are going and then make the best decision for myself' - said Berdych, who played Olympics in 2008 and 2012.

 He spoke about his season as well, he is having ups and downs and now is World No. 9 in the ATP Rankings. After reaching the quarterfinals at the Roland Garros, he lost to Marcos Baghdatis at the first round level, but it does not worry Berdych, who is playing Hurlingham Exhibion this week ahead of Wimbledon where he reached the fourth round last year.

'It was one match, it did not end up how I wanted but in the end I think I am quite experienced in knowing how to deal with it - said Berdych - My preparation is going well and smooth now which Is important to me. I have a couple of days before The Championships, so that is good. I really want to go all the way but when the Championships start you have to go one (day at a time), try and beat each opponent no matter who it is, but in terms of a goal I want to go as far as I can.'

TOMAS BERDYCH FINALLY GETS A LONG AWAITED & WELL DESERVED WATCH SPONSOR FELIO SIBY LAUNCHES EXQUISITE SIGNATURE TOMAS BERDYCH WATCH

Introducing… the exquisite Tomas Berdych timepiece by luxury accessory collection Felio Siby. As a Felio Siby Brand Ambassador, Berdych, the Czech tennis superstar recently joined CEO and founder Dominique Siby in Miami to unveil the signature watch. The striking blue watch, custom-made with an athletic band allows Berdych to wear the watch at all times – even on the tennis court. The limited edition piece is breathtakingly stunning with a whole new level of elegance and sophistication (price available upon request).

Dominique Siby is designing a series of limited edition, high-quality timepieces which incorporate a new millennium approach. A watch designed exclusively for Brand Ambassador Brazilian F1 driver Felipe Nasr will be available in May. Committed to superior watch making, Siby adheres to the elements of premium detailed workmanship, precision and elegance.

In just a short few years, Dominique Siby has amassed great success in the clothing and accessory industry and now looks forward to garnering even more recognition from his watches and partnership with Tomas Berdych. As an avid tennis fan and with a great appreciation and eye for luxury goods–especially timepieces–Siby anticipates big things for the brand. “It was a dream come true to build a watch and it is an incredible feeling to see it come to life–it’s an even more amazing feeling to have Tomas Berdych as a Brand Ambassador. I am glad to have him as part of Felio Siby family,” said Dominque Siby.

Young's Historic Comeback; Berdych, Isner Cruise Through Openers

American Donald Young rallied from two sets down for the first time in his career as he upset 11th seed Gilles Simon 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 34 minutes. The 26-year-old Young was previously 0-17 after losing the first two sets in Grand Slam and Davis Cup play. It also marked the first time Simon lost a match from two sets up, dropping to 34-1 in his career.

Young had lost all 11 sets in his five previous matches with Simon, but turned his fortunes around against the Frenchman as he saved 21 of the 30 break points he faced. He goes on to face Aljaz Bedene, who was leading 3-6, 6-4, 3-0 when Ernests Gulbis retired from their match.

Sixth seed Tomas Berdych made light work of American Bjorn Fratangelo in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday, claiming a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory in one hour and 41 minutes.

The Czech struck 37 winners and saved six of the seven break points he faced to notch his 43rd victory of the season. The 29-year-old Berdych reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows last year, falling to eventual champion Marin Cilic, and was a semi-finalist in 2012 (l. to Murray).

Berdych goes on to face Jurgen Melzer, who came through qualifying before denying home hope Denis Kudla 6-3, 7-5, 6-1. Berdych leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head 4-2 and has won their past three meetings.

Top American John Isner also made a strong start, dismissing Malek Jaziri 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. Isner fired 24 aces and converted four of his 11 break points.

The 30-year-old Isner has reached two finals on the ATP World Tour this summer, winning the Atlanta title (d. Baghdatis) and finishing runner-up a week later in Washington (l. to Nishikori). His best US Open result came in 2011, when he lost a close quarter-final clash with Andy Murray.

Isner won 41 of 42 points on his first serve. "Wow, I did not know that," said Isner. "I actually felt like I could have made more first serves today, too. The percentage I think could be a little higher.

"I've played well this summer. It started in Atlanta and I played well in D.C. and Montreal. Went deep three tournaments in a row and it really did a number on me physically. I lost a super tough match in Montreal where I left it all out on the court there and didn't have much in Cincinnati. I'm rested up and I'm ready to go. I'm happy to get off the court today in a quick fashion."

Robin Haase also pulled off a great escape, rallying from two sets down to beat Dustin Brown 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Japanese 19-year-old Yoshihito Nishioka, one of 10 teenagers in the US Open main draw, claimed his first Grand Slam main draw victory as he battled past Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 2-6, 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-2.

Ivo Karlovic sent down 21 aces as he defeated Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the second round. The 21st-seeded Croat goes on to challenge Jiri Vesely, a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victor over Paolo Lorenzi.