Verdasco Sets Ferrer Fourth Round Clash

© Getty ImagesDavid Ferrer is hoping for a repeat of his 2007 semi-final run in New York.

ATP World Tour No. 8 Fernando Verdasco toughed out a testing fourth-round clash with 2003 semi-finalist David Nalbandian 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 Sunday in New York to reach the US Open fourth round for the second year in a row.

The Spaniard created 19 break point opportunities in the two-hour, 46-minute match and was able to convert six of them as he recorded his 40th match win of the season. Verdasco benefitted from 65 unforced errors from Nalbandian’s racquet, while also striking 35 winners and 13 aces.

Afterwards, the Spaniard credited his mental strength to the victory. “I served better than him and that gave me a little bit of advantage. But I think also that mentally I was really strong, even like in the first set for four games, (which lasted) almost 40 minutes, I was there all the time. I'm positive and really good and focused. So I think that that was the key.”

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The 26-year-old Verdasco, who needed five sets to get past Fabio Fognini in the first round, has struggled to find his best form since reaching the Nice final (l. to Gasquet) in May, including disappointing opening-round exits at Wimbledon (l. to Fognini) and Cincinnati (l. to Fish).

“For sure I am feeling much better,” declared Verdasco. “The past weeks before here, the results were really tough. They were tough matches, close matches. Finally I lost all of them. So I'm happy how this tournament is going, and I'm getting much more confident. For sure, the match today, beating Nalbandian, who has been one of the players in best condition this summer, is gonna help me for my confidence and for getting better in the next matches.”

Verdasco next will face countryman and No. 10 seed David Ferrer, who finished strongly to come through an all-Spanish third-round encounter with Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2 in just under two hours.

Ferrer produced a solid display in contrast to his opponent, who was hindered by 55 unforced errors in his first appearance in the third round at a Grand Slam championship. The 28-year-old Ferrer is through to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2007, when he went on to defeat Rafael Nadal en route to his only Grand Slam semi-final (l. to Djokovic).

No. 23 seed Feliciano Lopez was the third Spaniard of the day to reach the fourth round, having led 6-3, 4-0 when Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky was forced to retire with a right toe infection. The left-hander will face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal for a place in the quarter-finals.

"It will be a nice match for me to play," said Lopez. "We are playing tennis for being on that court, on Arthur Ashe, playing against the No. 1 player in the world, and that's a very nice opportunity for me. I know Rafa is a great player, but if I play good and if I stay all the match there trying to play aggressive, I will have my chances. Of course it's gonna be very difficult, anyway."