Verdasco Gets His Revenge over Nadal Seven Years Later

Verdasco won the first set before Nadal wrestled control right back – although it was the former No. 1 who choked in the end, with Verdasco taking charge of the final set in stunning fashion, eventually winning 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a match that lasted four hours and forty minutes.

This time, Verdasco rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the last two sets, and came from a break down in the fifth to win in 4:41 and reach the second round.

It took 5 hours and 14 minutes, seven years ago for Rafael Nadal to edge past Fernando Verdasco in the longest semifinal in the tournament’s history.

It was Nadal’s earliest Australian Open exit in 11 appearances, and is only the second opening round loss in his Grand Slam career.

In the latest developments, two more players said they had been targeted by match-fixers and Australian media reported that police were keeping a close eye on the tournament’s first round.

Nadal looked in control when Verdasco coughed up a break serving for the fourth set. “And he also started playing a little less deep and strong, so I started coming inside the court, tried to be aggressive and it went well”.

“I think I could have done a little bit better job of closing the match out a little bit sooner, because I did have chances to go up a double break”.

Murray dispatched Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in hot conditions to move into the second round.

The 32-year-old served masterfully in each tiebreak, particularly in the second to keep the match alive, but wobbled early in the fifth when he was broken early.

He said the sport was sending mixed messages by allowing betting company William Hill to become one of the Australian Open’s sponsor’s this year and advertise on the tournament’s three main show courts. “I mean, to learn”, Verdasco said.

She praised Zhang, adding: “She played without fear and she hit every ball. He took more risks than me”, Nadal said after the defeat. Is tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it. Was not my day. I fighted. I was ready to do it, and I didn’t.

“I just think that it should be tennis that does a better job of explaining…”

This win will serve as a deserved revenge for Verdasco who in the semi finals of the 2009 edition lost to Nadal in another gruelling contest. “In terms of creating damage to the opponent with my forehand, I didn’t”, Nadal said. “But I feel like I’m hitting the ball well enough to go out there and give him a good run”.

He said he had watched a full replay of the 2009 semi-final about 10 times to learn from his mistakes but felt he was suffering a touch of deja vu yesterday.

The Serb, 28, beat wildcard Tammi Patterson 6-2 6-3 and meets qualifier Anastasija Sevastova next.