Ferrer Tsonga and Verdasco Make Winning Starts at US Open

Written by: Global Chick on 31st August 2011

Ferrer Tsonga and Verdasco Make Winning Starts at US Open |

World No. 5 David Ferrer of Spain is through to the second round at the US Open after a four sets win over Russian Igor Andreev 2-6 6-3 6-0 6-4.

The No. 5 seed won 5 of 6 break points in the match that lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes. The Spaniard’s best performance at the US Open was back in 2007 when he reached the semi-final. Ferrer’s Grand Slam record this year includes a semi-final at the Australian Open, and 4^th rounds both at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

David Ferrer will go on and play the winner of American James Blake and Dutchman Jesse Huta Galung.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France won his opening round today in three sets 6-4 6-4 6-4 over Taipei’s en-Hsun Lu. During the two hour match Tsonga hit 39 winners and won 4 out of 9 break points. Tsonga reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon this year where he lost to Novak Djokovic. The Frenchman will be looking to win his first career Grand Slam title this year at Flushing Meadows. Tsonga reached the final of Australian Open in 2008.

The No. 11^th seed’s best US Open result was in 2009 when he got to the 4^th round. Tsonga will face Ukrainian Sergei Bubka, who overcame Austria’s Andreas Haider-Maurer in four sets 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-4.

Fernando Verdasco, the No. 19^th seed triumphed over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in four sets 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-4. The Spaniard hit 49 winners compared to the Finn’s 25. Verdasco is looking to go one step further than the last two years where he has reached the quarterfinals. This is Verdasco’s ninth participation at the US Open.

Female favourite Verdasco faces Marsel Ilhan of Turkey, who was 6-3 6-2 1-0 up when his opponent Canadian Fran Dancevic retired. Ilhan had to qualify for his spot in the main draw this ear. The Turkish number one is currently ranked No. 101 on the ATP Tour ranking. Ilhan’s best US Open result was in 2009 when he reached the second round.