Seven years after they played an epic semifinal in Melbourne, Fernando Verdasco finally got his revenge against fifth seed Rafael Nadal. Verdasco stunned his fellow Spaniard with a comeback 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory.
Nadal came into the match seemingly in good form and with new-found confidence. Verdasco however, put on a remarkable display of power tennis that turned the 14 time major champion into a spectator on Tuesday afternoon in Melbourne.
Set One: Verdasco Edges for Early Lead
Nadal came into the match after a solid start to the season, but faced a tough challenge early from his countryman. The early games went with serve fairly solidly. There were a handful of deuces, but neither player had an opportunity to grab a break. In the ninth game, Verdasco had a golden opportunity to grab a key late break, racing to a 0-40 lead on Nadal’s serve. Verdasco choked though and hit three straight unforced errors to send the game to deuce. Another unforced error gave Nadal the advantage, before a forced error let Nadal off the hook.
Both men held on to force a tiebreak. Nadal grabbed the early mini-break for a 3-1 lead, but Verdasco quickly responded to tie it at three. They swapped mini-breaks again to 4-4. Verdasco held the first set point at 6-5 on Nadal’s serve, but the Nadal conjured a big forehand to save it. The fifth seed would give his fellow lefty an opening with a double fault at the worst possible time. On serve, Verdasco would force Nadal into an error to take the opening set.
Set Two: Nadal Fights Back to Even Match
With his back up against the wall, Nadal came out firing in the second set. He put the pressure on Verdasco in the third game of the set, reaching break point for the first time in the match after Verdasco missed a backhand. Verdasco saved the first break point, but was not out of the woods yet. Nadal had two more break points, but failed to convert on both. After Nadal saved a game point, the fifth seed reached break point for the fourth time and this time he converted for an early lead. Despite trailing, Verdasco kept fighting and evened the set at 4-4. However, his comeback did not last long, as Nadal broke back immediately and then held on to even the match at one set a piece with a 6-4 set win.
Set Three: Late Break Gives Nadal Lead
Nadal wasted no time channeling his momentum into the third set. Taking advantage of a double fault and a pair of unforced errors, Nadal broke in the opening game and quickly held for an early 2-0 lead. Verdasco struggled to get anything going on Nadal’s serve and found himself down break point at 2-4. Verdasco would hold to keep the set alive. Nadal held easily for a 5-3 lead and quickly raced ahead on Verdasco’s serve, holding a pair of set points. Verdasco saved the first when he forced Nadal into a forehand error. But the Majorcan was not to be denied, as he converted his second set point to grab the two sets to one lead.
Set Four: Verdasco Holds On to Force Decider
Just when it seemed as though the momentum was firmly in Nadal’s favor, it was Verdasco who came out swinging to start the fourth set. He held three break points in Nadal’s opening service game, before converting his fourth break chance to grab the early lead. Despite Nadal’s best efforts, he could not break his compatriot’s serve. Verdasco had an opportunity to serve out the set at 5-4, but Nadal timed his move perfectly. Nadal charged ahead early and converted his second break point to even the set at 5-5. After Nadal held, Verdasco seemed on the brink of implosion when a pair of unforced errors gave Nadal a 0-30 lead. The older Spaniard roared back to send the match to a tiebreak.
In the breaker, Verdasco grabbed a mini-break on the first point, but Nadal gained it back quickly. From 2-2, Verdasco raced ahead to a 5-2 lead. Verdasco missed a pair of returns at that point, missing a huge forehand swing at 5-3. Serving for the set, Verdasco blasted a ruthless combination of shots that Nadal could not put back in the court. On set point, Verdasco ripped an ace to send the match to a decider.
Set 5: Verdasco Powers Through to Shocking Victory
After a wild fourth set, Nadal wanted to re-establish himself early in the deciding set. He would see a chance in the opening game when Verdasco double faulted to give Nadal two break points. A pair of huge serves saved both, but Verdasco followed up those big serves with a pair of unforced errors to give Nadal the break. The 14-time major champion had a chance to break the set wide open up 2-0, when he reached break point in Verdasco’s next service game. Verdasco reeled off three straight aces thoough to negate that chance. When returning, Verdasco was going for broke on his returns and it was paying off. Some huge returns gave him a break point, which he converted with a mishit return winner.
After holding for a 3-2 lead, Verdasco had a chance to break in Nadal’s next game, but Nadal saved it with a break point. However, Verdasco brought up another break point with a huge forehand winner at deuce. This time, his forehand clipped the line and Nadal missed his forehand to give Verdasco the 4-2 lead. His huge hitting continued and suddenly Verdasco had won five straight games and Nadal was a game away from defeat. Nadal seemed as though he would put the pressure on Verdasco to serve it out, but Verdasco scored four unanswered points to close out his sixth consecutive game in the fifth set.
In his on court interview after the match, Verdasco said “I just hit everything. I think I played unbelievable in the fifth set from the break that he made me. I just start hitting winners. I don’t know how. You know, I was closing the eyes and everything was coming in. I just keeping doing it and everything was going well.”
By The Numbers
Verdasco knew that if he was to win this match, he had to go big and blast everything. That is exactly what he did and the numbers showed it. Verdasco struck 20 aces and an astounding 90 winners. His aggression was equally reflected by his 91 unforced errors. Nadal actually broke more than Verdasco, breaking six times to Verdasco’s five.
In reality, Nadal did not do much wrong. He was a bit too timid, leaving far too many balls short during rallies. That led him to missing too many passing shots and leaving too many weak serves for Verdasco to crush. However, this match was all about the older Spaniard’s aggression. Verdasco was swinging for the fences and never stopped. It was a marvelous display of powerful shot making.
The loss was only Nadal’s second ever in the first round of a Grand Slam and his first at the Australian Open. He has failed to reach the quarterfinals at his last three Grand Slam events with this loss. Verdasco will play Dudi Sela in the second round.