Czech Tomas Berdych halted fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro's hot streak by beating the Argentine 6-1 6-4 to win the Japan Open yesterday.

Ninth seed Berdych's fourth ATP Tour title and his first since winning on grass in Halle last year came after Del Potro left the court to take medicine for an upset stomach.

Warned for taking too long for a lavatory break after the fifth game, Del Potro took a medical time-out for stomach problems after surrendering the first set in just 22 minutes.

The 20-year-old Argentine, who recently helped his country reach the Davis Cup final, was broken again early in the second when Berdych forced him into a loose backhand.

Berdych's nerve held and he closed out a surprisingly comfortable victory with a huge serve Del Potro was unable to control.

The Czech picked up $135,000 for the win while Del Potro, conqueror of top seed David Ferrer in the last eight, boosted his hopes of a place at the season-ending Masters Cup.

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have already qualified for Shanghai.

Stuttgart Grand Prix final: Jelena Jankovic bt Nadia Petrova 6-4 6-3.

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