Raonic beats Berdych to Thailand Open title

Milos Raonic of Canada holds his trophy after winning over Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the final of the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok, Thailand Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. Raonic won the match 7-6, 6-3. AP

BANGKOK — Canadian Milos Raonic used his thumping serve to ace his way to victory over top seed Tomas Berdych Sunday, with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win at the Thailand Open.

Third seed Raonic took full advantage of his big serve to beat his Czech opponent, firing 18 aces — his last to set up a pair of match points.

After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, the Canadian tightened his grip in the second to earn the fifth title of his career.

The trophy, his second of the season, will help the 11th-ranked Canadian as he bids for a place in the eight-man season-ending championships in November in London.

Raonic beat Berdych, who is ranked 6th in the world, at their last meeting in Cincinnati in 2012.

Berdych remains the only member of the ranking top 10 without a title in 2013.