Fernando Verdasco wins over Igor Kunitsyn perfect start to French Open
World’s No.9 Fernando Verdasco of Spain started his French Open campaign on a positive note Wednesday, as he blasted World’s 105 Russian Igor Kunitsyn in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Fernando Verdasco had played six times in the French open but he never reached the finals in all those occasions.
Verdasco best performance in a Grand Slam tournament was 2009, when he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Ranked No.9 in the world, Verdasco showed the skills and mettle of a top-notch tennis player, as he unfurled succession of crosscourt beauties to puzzle out his Russian opponent in one hour and 55 minutes.
Igor Kunitsyn, ranked 105th in the latest ATP rankings, was totally clueless on Verdasco’s compounding offense of crosscourt volleys and net droppers.
Verdasco was also on target on his service by completing 57 of 78 first serve attempts (73 percent) with just two double faults.
The Spanish also unraveled his power game, recording a total of six aces against Kunitsyn’s three aces.
Apart from Verdasco’s superiority in skills, unforced errors had created the telling blows on Kunitsyn in the match. The Russian committed a lethargic 32 unforced errors, 14 more than Verdasco’s miscues.
The reigning Barcelona Open champion also amassed 94 winners, while his Russian opponent only produced 59 points.
Like his compatriots, Verdasco also possesses a solid game on clay, but so far the Spanish has not yet reached beyond the fourth round of the tournament.
Verdasco is likely headed to a big French Open campaign after a solid clay court season, which includes two finals runner up finishes (Hamburg and Nice) and a championship at the Barcelona Open.
It was also a confidence boasting win for Verdasco after a controversial stint in Nice last week.
Verdasco reportedly lost his temper and insulted the crowd, labeling them as the sons of b*****s.
The Spanish’s distasteful remark was hurled during his finals match against home favorite and eventual nice Champion Richard Gasquet.
With Verdasco’s win, It marks a great start for Spain at Roland Garros this year, in which 11 Spanish nationals advanced into the second round, including wins of high profile compatriots Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Fernando says he is happy for the result of the first match, though he said it was like a little bit hard to get the conditions because of the court, it was hard at the start of the game.
He also said that after few games he start to feel better, and get more confident as the game goes, he finished the game in third set playing really good.
"But, no, there's nothing I can add about this. What I wanted to say I said it during the release. That's all I had to say." Verdasco told reporters during post-game interviews.
Fernando also says that this is a faster court this year, absolutely, but nothing was wrong with the balls. Hitting the balls strongly, or giving them a special spin, or putting all of your strength into a shot that you will exert, the balls bounce back correctly, no less bouncing of the ball.
"No problem for me today. Of course you expect the worst all the time. If it's the worst you're not going to be disappointed, not badly surprised," he said.
For Kunitsyn, it was another setback for the Russian national after absorbing his third career first round exit at Rolland Garros.
Meanwhile, Verdasco will next face Frenchman Florent Serra, who defeated American Michael Russell in straights sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-1.
Without a doubt, Verdasco is another tennis star on a rise. And with his recent success on clay, it would be not surprising to see him hoisting his first Grand Slam title next week.
Tags: