LEAD: Flawless Federer hammers Berdych for first Bercy final

By Bill Scott Nov 12, 2011, 16:05 GMT

Paris - Roger Federer defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday at the Paris Masters to become the first tennis player to reach the final at all nine Masters events.

The day fell into place as the Swiss finally reached the title match of the only current Masters 1000 event where he has failed to do so.

His breakthrough came on his ninth appearance at the Bercy arena and followed a semi-final last year in which he lost to Gael Monfils after holding five match points.

'The way I played today was really nice,' said Federer.

'And on top of that getting the 800th win (Thursday) and today making my first final and being the first player to make all of those nine Masters Series finals.

'I really played great today. I didn't give Tomas much. I was able to play aggressive and serve good, so it was overall a wonderful performance.'

Federer improved to 10-4 over Berdych, who had the recent edge with wins in three of their past four meetings, including their only 2011 match, the Cincinnati quarters.

Federer will face off against either Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or American John Isner in Sunday's final which is played a week before the start of the eight-man year-end event in London.

'It's another final. It's something that's always very exciting, even though I've played so many already. I think my experience is going to control my nerves a bit. I hope I get off to a good start,' said Federer. 'That's what I'm nervous about.'

The Swiss stands 58-12 on the season after winning his second trophy of 2011 last weekend at his home event in Basle.

Federer broke Berdych to start the match as he claimed the 49-minute opening set and got off to a fast start in the second with a similar quick break on his way to the sweep in which he lost just ten points on serve.

Berdych fired 10 aces, which did little to stop the Federer juggernaut in 80 minutes with the winner never facing a break point.

The Czech was amazed at the recent improvement in the mighty Federer game.

'Over the last couple of months, I'm pretty confident to say that he's the old Roger - like he used to play during the years when he was really winning everything.

'We can count the unforced errors he did like maybe on the fingers on one hand, which is incredible, he's playing really well.

'He started every set great and didn't give me any chance at all.'

Federer is looking to become only the second player after Andre Agassi to win titles at the French Open at Roland Garros and at Bercy, the cross-town indoor venue.

Read more about France