Fernando Verdasco sees off Olivier Rochus in round one – Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2012
World number 19, Fernando Verdasco, escaped a scare against the 66th ranked Belgian, Olivier Rochus, in the opening round clash of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters on Monday. He was tested to limits in three-sets before
he sneaked a win 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. It was a riveting contest and the spectators in the arena enjoyed the encounter for two hours and ten minutes.
The opening set was not good at all for the Spaniard. He was broken twice on the trot and went 3-0. However, he recovered to win a break back but wasn’t able to dig deep and diminish the trail to zero games. Rochus kept his lead
intact throughout the set and saved a breakpoint to win the first battle.
Verdasco, the 15th seed Spaniard, fought back into the contest courtesy to an early breakpoint in the second set that gave him the lead of 4-1 at the start. He saw an opening an went out with an all-round onslaught against
the Belgian; thumping him on the back foot and winning another breakthrough to finish off the second set in quick succession.
It was a gruelling battle in the last set with both players coming all out on their returns and staying focused during the serve games to keep the scores together. There was absolutely nothing at all between the two contestants
who fought until the end.
No breakpoints were witnessed for the first 11 games of the set before the 15th seed Spaniard took hold of the game and converted the second breakpoint chance into his favour. Everyone in the arena stood up to the Belgian
who showed great courage and enthusiasm to fight until the last point. He is 31-year-old at the moment and being able to play three sets with such power requires a lot of bravery.
Fernando Verdasco will square off against the Croatia tennis icon, Ivan Dodig, who defeated his compatriot, Ivan Ljubicic, in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 in the first round. It will be a better contest considering the form of the Croatian.
There is a chance that he can pull off an upset against the Spaniard on the red dirt.
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