- Joined
- Apr 15, 2010
- Messages
- 212,768
- Likes
- 821
- Points
- 113
Top-seeded and ninth-ranked Fernando Verdasco seemed a little nervous talking about his next opponent at the SAP Open.
The Spaniard needed only an hour to advance on Wednesday night, beating American Rajeev Ram 6-3, 6-2 in a first-round match.
Verdasco meets Croatia's Ivo Karlovic in the second round. Karlovic, who was a semifinalist here four years ago, topped American Ryan Sweeting 6-4, 6-4.
"He is one of the most difficult players to play against," Verdasco said. "Maybe he won't serve so well and I'll win the match but I can't count on that."
The defending champion in the event, Verdasco recorded eight aces and won 88 percent of his first service points. Karlovic is out of the top 100 for the first time since 2007.
"I'm just looking to my next match," he said. "I need to serve well because he doesn't give you many chances with his serve. I'll try to return what I can."
In second-round matches, Lithuanian Richard Berankis beat American Donald Young 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 and Canada's Milos Roanic beat American James Blake 6-2, 7-6 (4).
Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=6106557
