Fernando Verdasco begins his Swiss Open against Portugal’s Frederico Gil.
Verdasco has been looking to pick up some form on the clay ahead of the tougher tests to come in North America next month. He enjoyed a good week at the ATP 500 event in Hamburg last week, defeating Jurgen Melzer before falling to Spanish rival Nicolas Almagro.
It could be a similar tale this week. Verdasco’s path to the semi-finals looks fairly clear where he would be likely to face Almagro again. His task has been eased by the early exit of seventh seed Pablo Andujar, another Spaniard on the rise.
Verdasco is unlikely to be concerned by the prospect of facing Gil this afternoon, Portugal’s leading player. Verdasco beat him 6-1, 7-6 in front of his home fans at the Estoril Open in April and went on to make the final that week.
Gil did not look hugely impressive in his opening match, struggling past Brazilian qualifier Joao Souza in three sets.
Prediction: Verdasco in two.
