Fernando Verdasco to Play Prestigious Kooyong Event

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 30th November 2013

Fernando Verdasco to Play Prestigious Kooyong Event

epa03219763 Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco returns the ball to his compatriot David Ferrer in their match at the Italian Open Tennis Tournament, in the Central Stadium at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Italy, 15 May 2012. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

The confirmation of Fernando Verdasco as seventh player in the field for the AAMI Classic event in Melbourne leaves just one space remaining in the January 8-11 pre-Australian Open hit-out at Melbourne’s historic Kooyong club.

The 29-year-old Spaniard who won the title at the exhibition in 2010, joins a field which also includes Lleyton Hewitt and a trio of ATP top 10- aces – Tomas Berdych (No. 7), Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka (8th) and No. 9 Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Also playing: Grigor Dimitrov and Kei Nishikori with one more participant to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Verdasco rolled Fernando Gonzalez, Novak Djokovic, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en route to his 2010 title at Kooyong, considered the top tune-up for the Australian Open played at the former home of the major until it outgrew the space two and a half decades ago.

Verdasco’s singles ranking may have dropped to 30th, but his doubles skills remain a huge asset after winning the World Tour Finals in London three weeks ago with fellow Spaniard David Marrero, with an upset of the American Bryan brothers in the final.

“I’m very happy to be returning to Kooyong this year,” said Verdasco, a one-time world No. 7 playing the exho for the fourth time. “Conditions in Melbourne can be tough and playing three guaranteed matches gives me the best chance to adjust and get my game ready for the first Grand Slam of the year.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Aami Classic, Atp, Australian Open, Bryan Brothers, Fernando Gonzalez, Fernando Verdasco, Grand Slam, GRIGOR DIMITROV, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Kei Nishikori, kooyong club, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych