Verdasco threatened and then retreated.

Fernando Verdasco and Roger Federer went head to head for the fourth time earlier today.  For a while Verdasco looked as though he was going to cash in with a 9/2 upset for his supporters. 

Federer looked horrible in the first set of this match and many of his shots were not even close to going in.  In some cases, without apparent pressure, Federer hit returns out by 2 feet.....or more.

Verdasco made the break hold up in the first set as the 7 seed served out at 5-4.

The second set was much more evenly contested with both players working hard to hold their serves.  The match appeared destined for a tiebreaker from the start but Verdasco played a very weak game in the 12th game of the set and Federer broke to force a third and deciding set.

A key point in the 12th game took place at 15-15. 

Verdasco, in pursuit of a Federer lob, lazily jogged back to retrieve the shot which dropped just inside the baseline.  Maybe Verdasco thought that the shot was going out but it was way too close to not give the full throttle.

Just a little out of position, he wasn't able to return Federer's deep lop as he, Verdasco, pathetically smashed a 'return' that actually bounced in his own court and went towards the chair umpire.  That one key point gave Federer the 30-15 lead and the opening he needed to break Verdasco.

Federer broke again early in the third set as Verdasco had clearly lost the momentum he had earlier.  Racing out to a 3-0 lead in the third set, Federer had the edge and the crowd behind him.  When Federer broke Verdasco again, the result became a foregone conclusion.

Verdasco really missed a golden opportunity here and it wasn't like Federer slammed the door: Verdasco took his foot off of the pedal.

Neither player looked particularly good in their ATP World Tour Finals opener but at least Federer has given himself a very good chance of making the semifinals with the win.  We'll see how the odds look before making further recommendations for the ATP World Tour Finals but in the interim, don't pick either of these players in the futures market (but Andy Murray looked good in his win versus Del Potro).

The final score between Federer and Verdasco was 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

The match was available on live streaming with bet365 as will be many future matches with the event.

Go to bet365 to enjoy sports live streaming and to bet on ATP tennis.