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4/15/10 1:44 AM | Kelli DeMario
Tomas Berdych looks to earn his third consecutive Masters 1000 win over Fernando Verdasco this year, as the players enter into their round of 16 match early Thursday. The winner secures a spot among the Monte-Carlo final eight.
Tenth seed Tomas Berdych has a 6-3 head-to-head series lead against sixth seed Fernando Verdasco, as the pair takes to the court for a round of 16 battle in Monte-Carlo. The Czech will attempt to capture his third Masters victory over the Spaniard in 2010, having posted back-to-back wins in Indian Wells and Miami.
The 24-year-old holds a 2-1 edge in clay-court contests as well, recording successes at the 2007 Masters Series Hamburg and the 2008 tournament in Bastad. Verdasco last defeated Berdych at the 2009 clay-court event in Barcelona, where he held on to snag the win in three sets.
The World No. 12 bids for his fourth quarterfinal berth of the season. The Madrid native is 15-5 in 2010, helped by a title-winning run in San Jose. Among Verdasco’s quarterfinal finishes is a late-February final eight berth in Acapulco (lost to Monaco). The 26-year-old commenced the week with a comfortable opening-round win over veteran Julien Benneteau, 6-2, 6-1.
Berdych, ranked World No. 15 at the start of the tournament, has dropped just four games heading into the round of 16. The Czech took out first-round challenger Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 6-1, then followed with a 6-2, 6-0 besting of wildcard Richard Gasquet.
Berdych has built a solid 19-7 mark this year, having advanced to the quarterfinal-round of play in five tournaments. The 24-year-old aims to book a third consecutive Masters quarter, having reached the same stage in Indian Wells (lost to Nadal) and the championship stage in Miami (lost to Roddick).
Prediction: Verdasco does well on clay, but he will be playing a different Berdych come Thursday. Could be close for a set, but the Czech in straights.
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if Verdasco beat the New Tomas Berdych, does that make Verdasco the New Fernando Verdasco?
I guess we will find out.
RickyDimon , 4/15/10 4:35 PM
I, for one, would be quite happy to see Verdasco live up to his potential. Nadal needs some competition, and who better than someone who plays a lot like him?! :D
-Arvis
Arvis , 4/15/10 5:47 PM
Yes I hope to see the New Improved Verdasco, no more the head-case one please! If Verdasco can reach the final, he'll be back to the top ten again. Of course, I want Rafa to win this tournament, no matter who he plays in the final. Well for Verdasco to reach the final, he must first get pass Montanes, and then one of Nalby/Nole/Stan, so one match at a time.
luckystar , 4/15/10 6:06 PM
I think Verdasco got a little help from a slight injury with New Berdych ... but let's hope he can get by the mighty Montanes.
smr , 4/15/10 6:28 PM
Tomas Berdych
Fernando Verdasco
Monte Carlo Rolex Masters
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A hard fought victory for Verdasco. I think both played well and Berdych's movement was affected by the fall if I'm not wrong. Good for Verdasco to win this as he has a good chance to progress to the semifinal. A first for him if he is successful.
luckystar , 4/15/10 3:43 PM