FERNANDO VERDASCO, TAYLOR FRITZ GET THE JOB DONE IN OPENING MATCHES AT BB&T ATLANTA OPEN TENNIS

Written by: Staff on 2nd August 2016

FERNANDO VERDASCO, TAYLOR FRITZ GET THE JOB DONE IN OPENING MATCHES AT BB&T ATLANTA OPEN TENNIS |

Closing out the match tonight is @Taylor_Fritz97 who defeated Austin Smith 62 62. Taylor plays on Weds night. – Photo by @BBTatlantaopen via Twitter.

By Ricky Dimon

Fernando Verdasco made a successful debut at the BB&T Atlanta Open on Tuesday evening, beating Dusan Lajovic 7-6(2), 6-4 during first-round action. Verdasco served at 70 percent and held all 11 of his service games to advance in one hour and 26 minutes.

The 48th-ranked Spaniard is ultimately bidding for his second title of the season, having previously triumphed at a 250-point event on the clay courts of Bucharest.

“It was great to win a tournament again,” Verdasco said in an interview with the ATP website. “I’m trying and working hard not only to win titles–of course winning titles is the best feeling at the end–but also to be competitive every week and to win matches. To try to be at the level that I used to be, meaning that if I play good I can beat almost every player in the world.”

Verdasco may have to beat one of the most talented players in the world in the quarterfinals, because he is in the same section of the Atlanta draw is Nick Kyrgios. But the 32-year-old first has to pick up another victory over Julien Benneteau, while Kyrgios has an opening match against Jared Donaldson on his plate.

Moving into the 2nd rd today was @FerVerdasco he defeated Lajovic 76(2) 64. Come see Fernando in his next match – Photo by @BBTatlantaopen via Twitter.

Joining Verdasco in the second round is Taylor Fritz, who took care of wild card Austin Smith 6-2, 6-2 in the nightcap. Fritz fired seven aces without double-faulting, saved both of the break points he faced, and broke four times to cruise in one hour and five minutes.

The only real drama came during–and after–a tough service game for Fritz at 2-1 in the second set. The 18-year-old American felt Smith’s University of Georgia teammates were crossing the line in terms of their cheering both for Smith and against Fritz, so he put his finger to his lips and stared in their direction after holding for 3-1.

Next up for Fritz is another American in Bjorn Frantangelo. The winner of that contest could face three-time defending champion John Isner in the quarterfinals. Isner’s latest title defense will begin against Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday.

“I know everyone was gonna root for him,” Fritz commented. “I wasn’t expecting all the curses and personal insults I was getting. (I gave the “be quiet” signal) just to the Georgia team, because they were saying some pretty bad stuff. I get that’s how it goes in college, so I wanted to give it back.

“It’s tough when you know the whole stadium is against you, aside from a couple people. But I was happy that I was able to play within myself and get the job done in straight sets…. When it was important, I came up with some pretty good serves.”