It was only two weeks ago when Verdasco decimated Djokovic in the Monte Carlo semifinals, 6-2, 6-2.  Djokovic promised that he would acquit himself better this time around.  And so, Djokovic did, but the second hottest player on the clay circuit, Fernando Verdasco, still won, in a 3 hour plus match.

Verdasco has taken a page out of Nadal’s book.  Once known for hitting big shots at inopportune moments, Verdasco has now become more patient, willing to work the points out longer and play more defense before going for big shots.

Although Djokovic played better, it was Verdasco who had a break in the first set, but Djokovic managed to break back, then Verdasco broke again, and Djokovic broke back as well, to get into a tiebreak, one that Verdasco won 7-4.

The second set was quite different as Djokovic managed 3 breaks of serve to Verdasco’s 1.  Usually, when a player gets a two break lead, the other player chooses not to fight and take their chances in the next set, so there may have been some of that.

By the third set, Verdasco was again starting to play well in rallies.  He never faced a break point in the third set, while Djokovic felt pressure on many of his serves.  Although he staved off 6 break points, he was still broken early on, with Verdasco holding that one break lead to win the match in the 3rd, 6-4.

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

Up next, the first meeting between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer.  Nadal plays Wawrinka after that, and finally, Gulbis takes on Lopez.   There is still a possibility for an all Spaniard semifinals.  Spaniards have been doing pretty well on the clay circuit this year.