Perhaps Verdasco could have been forgiven for a loss to upstart Milos Raonic who made a splash with a fourth round appearance in the Australian Open as a qualifier.  He had never played him before, and lost playing great service games, but was unable to win the tiebreaks, despite a 6-2 lead in the first set tiebreak in San Jose.

As fate would have it, the two met again in Memphis, this time in the first round.  Raonic is nothing if not confident in his abilities.  This time, Verdasco won the second set, with Raonic taking the first set.  Raonic had 7 break opportunities.  Verdasco fought off 6 of them, but 1 was all Raonic needed.  Veradasco didn’t face break point in the second set.  He faced 3 in the third set, but held.  Raonic had no break points on his game.

Final score: 6-4, 3-5, 7-5(5).

We’ll see how Raonic’s fitness holds out.  He’d like a quick win if he is to go deep in this tournament.  He plays tricking Stepanek next.  Stepanek has been able to handle big serves.  He had a marathon match against Karlovic which he won five sets in Davis Cup play.

Also another good victory for Juan Martin del Potro who beat John Isner, a finalist last year, 6-4, 6-3.