Fernando Verdasco battles past Jarkko Nieminen into 2nd round – US Open 2011
Spaniard Fernando Verdasco bounced back from a set down as he did away with Finn Jarkko Nieminen in four sets in their opening round match at the 2011 US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York on Tuesday, August 30th.
Battling it out for a little over two hours and thirty minutes, Verdasco was able to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 win over the lower ranked Finn.
Winning the toss, Nieminen opened serve and rushed to find his place on the scoreboard. The very next game, the Finn asserted his dominance as he broke past the erring Spaniard securing a 2-0 lead in set. From there on both players
matched blow for blow as the score progressed on even terms. With successful holds of serve from the pair, the score extended to five games to three for the Finn. A tough battle ensued in the ninth game as Verdasco fought to save the set. Pushing to deuce
after deuce, the Spaniard gave a tough time to the Finn before finally succumbing to the pressure as Nieminen closed out the set with a deadly winner-ace combo.
Managing an impressive 83 percent win on his almost similar first serve including eleven winners, Nieminen cashed in on the single break point opportunity as he secured a 6-3 win, going one up in the set score.
Down but not out, Verdasco came back fighting in the second set as he matched blow for blow against the Finn. Keeping the scoreboard ticking on even terms, Verdasco was able to keep the score tied for the first eight games. Holding
his serve in the ninth game, Verdasco lost no point in the tenth as he broke past the Finn to take the second set 6-4, bringing the score to even terms.
Finally found his footing in the match, Verdasco blasted the Finn in the third set as he converted two breakpoint opportunities to his advantage securing a breadstick victory for himself. Sitting on a one set lead, Verdasco was
finally able to dictate the terms of the game.
Coming into the fourth set, Verdasco was able to break his opponent early on as he secured a 2-1 lead extending it to 4-2 moments later. Following the second set in terms of score, the set progressed on successful holds of serves
from both players before Verdasco served out the set at 5-4, to ensure his survival at the event.
Verdasco now moves on ahead to play Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan. Ilhan moved into the second round after enjoying a retirement 6-3, 6-2, 1-0 victory over Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic.
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