Tomas Berdych spoiled Marcos Baghdatis' 22nd birthday by beating the Cypriot in straight sets in the final of the Gerry Weber Open.

The fourth-seeded Czech survived some nervy moments, especially in the first set, before clinching a 7-5 6-4 victory.

Berdych saved two set-points in the opener but clinched it by breaking to go 6-5 up and then serving it out.

He broke again in the first game of the second set and never looked back as he claimed his third career title.

"This is a great feeling," the 21-year-old said.

"The key was when I came back from the two set-points. He started to make more mistakes after that and I had my chances."

Down 4-5 and serving, Berdych twice offered opportunities for Baghdatis to break but held firm on each occasion, saving the first with a big serve and the second following a long rally.

"I lost the match in that game," said Baghdatis.

"I could not take advantage and failed to put in a first serve in my next service game."

Berdych broke to 30 and then won the first set when his opponent dragged a forehand wide.

Berdych immediately broke the Cypriot again before saving Baghdatis' only break-point of the second set when serving for the match.

"I am a bit sorry to spoil his birthday party," Berdych added. "We are good friends but on the court we are just fighting for the win."

Berdych has won nine of his last 10 matches in Halle, with his only defeat coming at the hands of four-time Gerry Weber Open and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in 2006.

"My biggest advantage was that he was not here this year," Berdych said of the world number one, who had pulled out on Monday due to fatigue. "I made the most of it."

History has proven that the winner of the Gerry Weber Open usually triumphs at Wimbledon, too, with that honour having fallen to Federer in the past four years.

"Who knows," Berdych said. "I am not going to make any predictions."

Baghdatis was disappointed at the outcome of a good week in Halle and not that the loss spoiled his birthday party.

"That's life. I'm still 22 years old. My birthday is my birthday. My mother will still call me, so that's okay," he said with a smile.

The 2006 Wimbledon semi-finalist is confident he can make something happen at SW19 later this month.

"I have a chance to win it for sure," he said.

"Last year I was in the semis and had a chance to win it so I will try again this year. I am not sure whether I am one of the favourites but I have a chance."