David Ferrer knocks out compatriot, Fernando Verdasco, in first round bout – Valencia Open 2011
David Ferrer, Spanish world No.5, and the top seed for Valencia Open 2011, hammered compatriot, Fernando Verdasco, world No.24, in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 23 minutes hard indoor circuit match on Tuesday, 1st
of November.
Playing at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Valencia, Spain, the two compatriots have a long twelve games rivalry altogether. Although the 27-year-old lost the match, he still leads the head-to-head score with seven games to
five. Battling out on clay circuits, Verdasco always had an advantage because of his natural ability to play tough on clay, however, this time; the hard circuit was a child’s play for the higher ranked Spaniard.
Nevertheless, shooting off with the opening round fixture, Ferrer stormed in serving the match opener, rolling down the scoreboard, 1-0 followed the top seed of the event, Verdasco, compatriot, served out his opening serve of the
match and evened out the scores, 1-1.
Continuing to lead the set, the higher ranked Spaniard kept on bagging games on his serve, 2-1, however, his compatriot kept on his tail and equalled out once again at 2-2. With the two winning games of respective serves, both
levelled up again, 3-3, before the higher ranked competitor pulled off with his first breakpoint.
Serving out game seven, 4-3, Ferrer broke the world No.24 in the eighth game, 5-3, to lead the set. with just one more game left to finish off the set, world No.5 served a winner, game nine, winning the set, 6-3, to lead the match
with the first set win.
Moving on to the next, Verdasco tried his luck in the second set, however, the fiery compatriot was too hot to handle. Breaking the 27-year-old in the opener, Ferrer extended his lead as he served out game two of the second set
and led the scoreboard, 2-0.
Ferrer was not over with the beating as he broke the world No.24 for the second time in three games to lead the set, 3-0. Bagging another win, the mesmerizing Spaniard cleared the first four games to gain a comfortable 4-0 lead
in the set.
Finally, winning his first game of the set, Verdasco pocketed game 4, yet could not do more than that. Ferrer, ending up the set with a blazing eighth game win, 6-2, finished of winning the match in two straight and easy sets to
walk on to the second stage of the ATP World Tour 500 event.
Making in through in the first round, Ferrer, top seed for Valencia Open 2011, now moves to outgun the Canadian qualifier, Vasek Pospisil, in the second round battle of the event.
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