Berdych beats Verdasco

There was also a comfortable win for the 13th seed Andy Roddick, who overcame Frenchman Julien Benneteau and some patchy form to ease through to the last 16 with a 6-4 6-4 victory.

Roddick could face Andy Murray for a place in the quarter-finals providing the British number one can see off the challenge of Jeremy Chardy on Wednesday.

Fifth seed Berdych blew five match points as Verdasco - who ousted Marin Cilic in three sets on Monday - recovered from 5-2 and two breaks down in the second set only for the Czech player to come up with the goods under pressure to reach the last 16.

He will face Janko Tipsarevic or Alex Bogolomov Jr for a place in the quarter-finals which would see him reach the elite ATP Tour finals - a tournament reserved for the world's top eight - at the O2 in London later this month.

Seven players are vying for one of the three remaining spots for the World Tour finals.

World number one Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal - who has pulled out of the Bercy tournament - Andy Murray, Roger Federer and David Ferrer have already qualified.

Verdasco was let down by a forehand that misfired throughout the match. He only began to play when he was 5-2 behind in the second set, but Berdych always looked the likelier winner.

"The victory feels great, but I was not happy with my game in the second set," said Berdych. "I made too many mistakes in the second set, but am happy that I could come up with two solid games to see it out.

"I'm not trying to focus too much on that (London). It could affect my game a little bit, but now I just try to enjoy and play tennis. That is why I'm here."