Watch highlights as Fernando Verdasco defeats Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to shock the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion in the third round at Roland Garros. Video courtesy of Roland Garros. Photo Credit: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images
The numbers speak for themselves: Fernando Verdasco shines on the biggest stages. Just a few weeks ago, the 34-year-old earned his 500th ATP World Tour victory by defeatingPaoloLorenzi in the first round at the Mutua Madrid Open. On Friday, the Spaniard claimed his 102nd career singles win at a Grand Slam by defeating fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 to move into the fourth round at Roland Garros, where he'll face 20th seed Novak Djokovic. The 34-year-old is the oldest player remaining in the singles draw, and is now 3-1 against opponents inside the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings this season. [ALSO LIKE] World No. 35 Verdasco holds a 102-59 record at majors since his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon...
The afternoons were routine: When the clock struck 5 p.m., a young Fernando Verdasco dashed home from school, dropped off his backpack, then rushed over to Madrid's tennis facilities to watch either his current coach, Ignacio Truyol, or his former coach, Juan-Luis Rascon-Lope, hone their games on the practice courts. His intent was twofold: The seven-year-old wanted to learn from his future mentors but also hoped to get a few minutes of court time with the professional players. If that wasn't an option, he'd imitate their movements and motions by hitting balls against a fence. Now, plenty of children are looking up to Verdasco. The Spaniard earned the 500th match win of his career Tuesday by defeating Italian Paolo Lorenzi...
Spaniard Fernando Verdasco earned his first ATP World Tour victory in Sopot, Poland against Argentine Mariano Puerta in 2002. And nearly 16 years later, the dynamic left-hander celebrates history, lacing an inside-in forehand winner to defeat Italian Paolo Lorenzi 7-5, 6-4 at the Mutua Madrid Open, becoming the 45th player in ATP World Tour history to claim 500 match wins. "It's an unbelievable victory," Verdasco told Tennis TV after the match. "Getting the 500th victory of my career is an unbelievable number that I never even thought about. I'm super-emotional and super-happy." The one-hour, 24-minute minute victory on Tuesday makes Verdasco the sixth Spaniard to join the elite club, and he is also the ninth active player to achieve the...
Fernando Verdasco drew on his big-match experience on Monday to beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in a third-set tie-break for a place in the Miami Open presented by Itau fourth round. The Spanish No. 31 seed recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the third set and trailed 0/3 in the tie-break, but dug deep to beat Roger Federer’s conqueror, Thanasi Kokkinakis, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in two hours and 54 minutes. Watch Full Match Replays Kokkinakis, currently No. 175 in the ATP Rankings after a series of injuries, who upset World No. 1 and defending champion Federer 3-6, 6-3 7-6(4) on Friday. He saved three break points at 4-4 — in a 16-point game — in the deciding set, but paid the price...
