Djokovic Fails to Impress Against Verdasco but Reaches Quarter Finals in Beijing

I joined this one in the 1st set just after Verdasco had broken back after trailing 2-4. At 5-6 and serving to stay in the set Verdasco made all his good work undone again by first completely missing an overhead, and then serving a double fault on set point. This is not surprising at all from Verdasco. Talent wise he is in the top 5 in the world but mental fortitude wise he is probably not even in the top 1000. When I watch a match of his I am just waiting for the next blunder.

He simply can't keep it together mentally. In the 2nd set he fought back well though. He broke a pretty average Djokovic twice to win it 6-2. Verdasco served 6 double faults in this match and it is something that plagued him throughout his career. At 0-1 in the 3rd set he once again opened the game with a double fault, and he ended up dropping serve to 30. One double fault may not seem like a big deal but serving one on the opening point against a returner like Djokovic is gonna cost ya.

Again Verdasco just lacks that mental fortitude, and at 5-2 he got broken for a second time to lose 5-7, 6-2, 2-6. In the end it was a good performance from Djokovic but nothing special. Definitely he looked much more menacing in his first match. This just further confirms to me that Nadal is the favorite for this title. Djokovic will not play Stan next, but Querrey instead who upset Stan 6-3, 7-6(2). Looks to me like Stan is tired after his brilliant US Open run because I saw him tweet that he is tired after after the US Open as well.

He didn't play much in the run up to the US Open though, so maybe there are some question marks over his mental and physical fitness. He has now had two disappointing losses in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing and would want to improve towards the end of the year. He would want to make his first Masters Cup and his place is not quite safe yet. The top 4 have already qualified for London but of course Murray is out until year end, which means there are still five spots up for grabs.

Of those five I think Berdych and Del Potro should make it, which leaves three more spots. Those three will most likely come from Federer, Wawrinka, Gasquet, Tsonga, and Raonic. Federer has historically done well indoors so you can probably add him to Berdych and Del Potro. The rest are pretty uncertain. As for the rest of the action in Beijing today Gasquet best Tomic 7-6(2), 6-4, who continues to disappoint after showing much promise not unlike Dimitrov.

Finally Ferrer beat Matosevic after coming from a set down, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. In Tokyo Raonic maintained his good from of late with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Chardy, while Nishikori bageled Lopez 7-6(4), 6-0. Tomorrow is quarter final day in Beijing and I expect Nadal and Djokovic to both win in straights against Fognini and Querrey respectively. Berdych vs Isner could be closer and the same goes for the US Open rematch between Gasquet and Ferrer.

In Tokyo we will find out if Dodig can keep up his winning ways against Nieminen after upsetting Tsonga, while Del Potro has a chance to pass Federer in the rankings again if he beats Dolgopolov. Finally Raonic will take on Lacko and 4th seed Nishikori will face 6th seed Almgaro. No shortage of good tennis action tomorrow then. Enjoy!