WHAT HAPPENED: The names of No. 31 Fernando Verdasco and Andy Murray meant something a little different just a few years ago, when Murray was a consistent contender for Grand Slams and Verdasco was often deep into many of the year’s big tournaments.
But both have had uncertain turns of late. Murray is still rehabilitating after nearly a year off due to a hip injury. Verdasco, one of the game’s steadiest presences at the top since he turned pro in 2001, is on a slow uptick in play and results since falling to No. 86 in the world in 2016.
But those who came to Arthur Ashe Stadium Wednesday to see the pair’s second-round match were treated to flashes of the players they knew at their apex — even as the match had an uneven, streaking quality to it. That said, the match’s last game — which, it seemed, was the type of lengthy battle that so many times usually goes to Murray— instead went for a resurgent Verdasco, who battled through for a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. He will face No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.
ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert noted that Verdasco had beaten Murray just once in 14 tries previously — at the 2009 Australian Open. “It was a little bit of motivation to try to beat him again,” Verdasco said. He called Murray “an unbelievable fighter.”
Especially as the afternoon went on, the heavy baseline hitting from both sides and contrasting styles — Murray’s punchy, flat backhand and Verdasco’s looping lefty topspin forehand — provided for an entertaining, if often uneven, match.
Both saved the best for last. As Verdasco served out the match up 5-4 in the fourth, he saved five break points after dropping two match points. But big serves got Verdasco out of trouble, and on Verdasco’s third match point Murray couldn’t catch up with the bomb.
The first set was especially up and down as both players settled in. The pair traded breaks and drew even at 5-all, as Verdasco’s looping forehand and ability to move the ball around the court gave Murray intermittent fits. Murray double faulted to give Verdasco the key break, and a strong game on serve from Verdasco — he blasted a serve followed by a forehand winner on game point — gave him the set.
The second set was all Murray as the Brit raised his level of play. Down 3-1, a tremendous running backhand lob paved the way for Verdasco to get back into the set on serve. But he would never get close, as Murray got 59 percent of his first serves in, winning 85 percent of those points and hitting 10 winners.
The third set was similarly uneven from both players, but Verdasco’s big serve and effective all-court play bested Murray. At 4-2, Murray broke back and played his strongest game to consolidate the break. Verdasco at times played well only to be bested by the Brit — on a perfectly acceptable backhand cross-court that had Murray out of position, Murray rifled a forehand down the line for a winner. He held the next game at love in his most complete game yet to get the match back on serve at 4-3.
But after Verdasco managed another break, it was his turn to put a complete game together serving out the set at 5-4, and he did so -- easily, pushing Murray around the court and rifling a backhand winner to take the set.
The players took a 10-minute heat break between the third and fourth sets as temperatures stayed above 90 degrees.
The fourth set continued the match’s uneven theme, albeit in a completely different way. Both men found their serves and held easily to start. At 2-2, a lengthy rally had Verdasco pull Murray off the court only to have the Brit punish a forehand down the line for the winner and a 3-2 lead. At 3-3, Verdasco had Murray’s serve measured and went up 0-40, forcing an error from Murray to take the break.
It was all he needed before serving out the match.
In the last game, a vintage Murray marathon, it seemed the Brit might break through and extend the match. But Verdasco’s strong serve after battling nerves and some of Murray’s best returns of the match were just enough to finish it off.
WHY IT MATTERS: Murray has been one of the best in the sport with two Wimbledon titles (2013, 2016) and his 2012 US Open championship. At the same time, after his 11-month absence from the game due to injury and his January hip surgery, he is as unproven as ever. His ranking has fallen to a career low 839, granted entry into the US Open because of the protected injury ranking.
The 34-year-old Verdasco represented his biggest test of late after Murray didn't play Toronto and withdrew before a quarterfinal match in Washington.
The good news for Murray fans is the Brit didn’t wilt in the heat and his movement seemed unimpeded as Verdasco moved him side to side and Murray found winners in deep corners of the court. Of course, the same could be said for Verdasco’s movement and excellent baseline play; the Spaniard will have a chance to make a real impression on the US Open in his third-round match against del Potro.
MATCH POINT: A tour workhorse, Verdasco is making his 62nd Grand Slam appearance at the US Open.
