Defending champion Fernando Verdasco advances in San Jose SAP Open
Spain’s Fernando Verdasco defeated US wild card Rajeev Ram in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the second round of the ATP San Jose tournament on 10 February, 2011.
Verdasco has had a 50 percent winning record for the last ten matches; he lost to sixth seed, Tomas Berdych, by straight sets in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
World number 207, American Rajeev Ram, has had only a 40 percent winning record for the last ten matches. He lost to Dusan Lojda in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open and lost to fifth seed, Raven Klaasen, in the qualifying round of ATP Johannesburg.
Verdasco out classed the American by winning the first set with a single break of serve. His first serve percentage of 60 percent was lower than Rajeev Ram’s 65 percent, but he had an impressive 80 percent win on it. Ram managed to save 3 break points but
it wasn’t enough to beat the defending champion.
The Spaniard kept his momentum in the second set by winning the first game with a dramatic break of serve. He also held his serve in the proceeding game to make it 2-0.
Ram held on to his serve in the third game, but the Spaniard went on to win the next three games including one with a break of serve. The American tried to hold the raging Spaniard back by holding his serve in the next game, but Verdasco held on to his serve
in the proceeding game.
Even though, Fernando Verdasco’s first serve percentage of 56 percent was comparatively lower than Ram’s 67 percent but the top seed got a 100 percent win on it.
Verdasco has now extended his head to head lead against Ram to 2-0. The Spaniard beat American Andy Roddick in last year's finale and is looking in good form.
He will face Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic in the second round who defeated American Ryan Sweeting 6-4, 6-4.
Tags: