Passions will fly when the local lad
Bernard Tomic meets the twenty second seeded Fernando Verdasco in the first match
of the Australian Open in the Rod Laver arena. Verdasco has the unenviable task
of handling one of the most promising youngsters in the tennis world and also
the crowd frenzy in the centre court.
Verdasco rose in esteem after his
five set semi-final against Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open 2009 and
followed up this performance to rise up to career high ranking of nine in 2009. All
that looks like a distant memory now. He has gone down in consistency and does
not have the winning mindset. He has gone without title in the whole of 2011. This
vulnerability will be tested to full in his first encounter. On the other hand
Tomic is coming with a winning frame of mind from Kooyong Classic last
week where he lifted the trophy at the expense of Mardy Fish. He has indeed
improved as a player and is viewed as a future prospect.
Verdasco
does not have a monster second serve and that is likely to be exploited by
Tomic. But Tomic also has not shown any single devastating shot. He plays more
like a counter puncher. Verdasco has the capacity to hit winners but also has
the tendency to commit unforced errors while doing so. He does not bring out
his best on the crucial points. Tomic plays a normal game and in his fourth
appearance in the Australian Open, nerves are unlikely to catch on him. On the
other hand, he might get pep from the home crowd and convert it into a
strength.
Fernando
Verdasco is the higher ranked player but it is not definite that he will
progress to the second round.
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