Fernando Verdasco edges past Carlos Berlocq to reach Auckland quarter-finals – Tennis Special
A former top-tenner, Fernando Verdasco, trounced over the Argentine, Carlos Berlocq, in straight sets at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 event, taking place on the hard courts in Auckland, New Zealand.
He clobbered a 7-5, 7-6(3) victory over the world number 59, Berlocq, to advance into the final eight at the Heineken Open on Wednesday.
Third seeded Spaniard, Verdasco, outclassed the Buenos Aires resident in straight sets at this lead-up tournament towards the first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. He not only took lead in the head-to-head series by 1-0 against
Berlocq but also secured a quarter-final spot at this tournament.
Ranked 24th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour rankings, Verdasco made a drastic entry to the first set and gifted away his serve in the opening game. Regardless of recovering in the very next game, the Spaniard
lost his serve again in the third game and trailed 1-2. However, the veteran re-focused and held remaining serves through massive forehands from his box of tricks. He recovered again in the sixth game and triumph the set with a 7-5 win after capitalising on
another break chance in the last game.
The 28-year-old Spaniard smacked five aces and produced a better first serve share of 71 percent as compared to his rival’s 62 percent. He brushed off three out of five breakpoints he faced and cashed in three out of eight break
opportunities.
Verdasco carried his momentum to the second set and held his opening serve with conviction. Later he drew the first blood in the fourth game but squandered his lead in the following game. The Spaniard maintained his intensity afterwards
and kept remaining serves, dragging the set to a tie-breaker. He prevailed in it and sealed the set with a 7-6(3) win.
He clobbered a slightly lower first serve share of 67 percent in contrast with the Argentinean’s 70 percent and clinched an acceptable 19 out of 29 points on it. Through his exceptional blocking skills, the Spaniard dusted away
five out of six breakpoints he came across and converted one out of five break opportunities to his advantage.
The Spaniard made final showdowns at the San Jose, Estoril and Gstaad ATP events last year. He started his 2011 season standing at the world number nine and regardless of reaching far in almost all tournaments, Verdasco ended the
season at number 24.
Next challenge for the third seed is his compatriot, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez who trashed a French qualifier, Adrian Mannarino, in straight sets to reach this spot. Lopez fended off five out of six breakpoints he encountered and
cashed five out of twelve break chances, sealing the deal with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in an hour and 32 minutes long duel.
A former world number seven, Verdasco is eyeing to improve his form for the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam event taking place on the hard courts in Melbourne, Australia. He might have won his opening match of 2012
but his victory wasn’t convincing to face a Top-20 player. The Spaniard’s defensive skills are amazing, as he saved eight out of eleven breakpoints he faced but his breakpoint conversion skills are not up to the mark. He cashed in only four break chances which
are not enough to overpower a seed.
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