OK we have run the headline before but it was before Christmas and a lot has happened since then, although not much in the case of Fernando Verdasco.
The Spaniard hasn't really played that much so far this year. He made an appearance at the Kooyong Classic but didn't play in any of the traditional events so as Doha or Brisbane on the build up to the Aussie Open . In that event he made it to the round of sixteen before losing a five set match to Volgograd man. Normally you would refer to it as a five set thriller but it wasn't and it didn't come close to the quality that Verdoasco had demonstrated in his semi final defeat the previous year against Nadal.
Verdaso is now in the States and has turned up for the SAP Open in San Jose. He is the number two seed and is scheduled to meet Andy Roddick in the final on Sunday. Roddick has won the event three times.
Verdasco would appear to have a straight forward route to the quarters where the left hander would probably meet Jeremy Chardy, who is actually from France. A meeting with Kohlschreiber in the semi final might be problematic as the German holds a head to head advantage.
Verdasco was a much improved performer in 2009 and the form line against Davyenko is strong. We take him to go in this week, but recommend a small saver in Kohlschreiber who also demonstrated good form in Melbourne.
