Verdasco victorious – Bhupathi and Paes in tough opener in Beijing

Written by: Global Chick on 6th October 2011

Verdasco victorious – Bhupathi and Paes in tough opener in Beijing

Spain's Fernando Verdasco in action against Italy's Flavio Cipolla during their men's singles tennis match at the China Open tennis tournament held at the National Stadium court in Beijing, China, on 05 October 2011. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

Spain’s Fernando Verdasco is through to the quarterfinals of the China Open in Beijing after a win over Italy’s Flavio Cipolla 2-6 6-1 6-2. The World No. 23 lost the first set but after that he completely dominated the match that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.

“It was a very difficult match. He was a player, I had never played before. It is always tricky at the start, when you are trying to figure out his strengths and weaknesses. I didn’t start playing well and made too many unforced errors,” the Spaniard said.

Verdasco will now play Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. The number three seed blasted Philipp Kohlschreiber of the court yesterday 6-2 6-0 in just over one hour. The Czech player is still trying to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour finals event in London.

Former Top 10 player Ivan Ljubicic started the match by winning the first seven straight games. His opponent Germany’s Florian Mayer turned the match around and won the second set 6-2. The third set went to Ljubicic who hit 13 aces and won the set 6-3 match in almost two hours.

Croat Ivan Ljubicic will face Russian Mikhail Youzhny next. The Russian had a great win in the previous round when he took out the number four seed Nicolas Almagro in straight sets. Youzhny won in three tough sets against Spain’s Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (5) 6-2 7-5.

Indian duo Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi advanced into the second round in the China Open doubles event today. Bhupathi and Paes were pushed to the limit today by Chinese wildcards Mao-Xin Gong and Zhe Li. The No. 4 seeds eventually won 6-2 3-6 10-3.

Horia Tecau of Romania and Robert Lindstedt of Sweden were going to play Americans Andy Roddick and John Isner in the first round but the Americans pulled out and were replaced by Spain’s Nicolas Almagro and Tommy Robredo. Lindstedt and Teacu won in straight sets 6-3 7-5 and will now face the winner of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco of Spain and the number two seeds Max Myrnyi and Daniel Nestor.

Also through to the next round are Marcel Granollers of Spain and partner Oliver Marach of Austria. They defeated Americans Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram 6-2 2-6 10-4. Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic is up next for Granollers and Marach.

The number two seeds Max Myrnyi and Daniel Nestor defeated Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco to advance into the second round. The number two seeds won 10-5 in the third set match tiebreak.

The two big serving Croats Marin Cilic and Ivan Ljubicic won in straight sets over Mark Knowles and Jurgen Melzer. Cilic and Ljubicic will now face Bhupathi and Paes next.