Berdych beats unhappy Bjorkman to reach maiden quarters

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) Seventh seed Tomas Berdych continued his unassuming passage into the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-0 6-7 6-0 victory over an irate Jonas Bjorkman today.

Overpowered in the opening two sets but leading the third 4-3 with a break point, the Swede was infuriated when umpire James Keothavong overruled a Berdych serve in.

''That is why you suck,'' the 35-year-old said, lambasting the unpire's decision. Last year's surprise semi-finalist branded the official ''absolutely useless'' before clawing back into the match by winning the third set tiebreak 8-6.

The big-hitting Czech regained his composure after a brief rain break to reach the last eight of a grand slam for the first time.

The 19th-seeded Bjorkman refused to shake the umpire's hand as he departed from Court 18.

REUTERS PDS BST2023