At the Barcelona Open, Fernando Verdasco defeated Robin Soderling in a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 match, acquiring his second title won during this season.
Verdasco became the eighth Spanish champion after he defeated Soderling, second seeded, in a match that displayed each other’s skill of baseline groundstrokes. During the fourth game, verdasco was able to score a decisive break when Soderling volleyed a wide hit. Then Verdasco used his impressive serves to ensure his second title on his third final match.
After the match, Verdasco dropped to the clay ground to savor his victory in a tournament where he was able to accept a very last-minute invitation as a wild-card to the tournament.
According to Verdasco, “I wasn’t planning to play this week so you can imagine my feelings right now. It’s incredible… At the last minute they convinced me to come and now I’m lifting the trophy so thanks to all of them.”
Verdasco’s season on clay courts started when he was participating at the Monte Carlos Masters. During the said tournament, Verdasco succumbed to Rafael Nadal in the final round. He did not, however, get to face Nadal at the Barcelona Open since the Spaniard skipped the tournament after winning it five years in a row.