Alkass Digital
Doha, Qatar - Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco yesterday produced a fighting battle to lead a group of four seeded players into round two of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open where Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic celebrated a rare ‘doubles win’ with brother Marko.
Playing on the Centre Court, 35-year-old Verdasco yesterday kicked off the new season with a straight-set demolition of Paolo Lorenzi of Italy. Despite a fightback in the second set, Verdasco won 6-3, 6-4 to sail into the second round of the 250-point tournament.
It was Verdasco’s fourth win in as many matches over his Italian opponent ranked 109.
“It is always great to win the first match of any tournament. It gives me a chance to move ahead. I am happy with this fine start to the season,” Verdasco said after the 1-hour 29-minute clash.
Verdasco, who lost to 2017 Qatar Open champion Djokovic despite holding five match points in their semi-final clash two years ago, remained in control in his match against Lorenzi.
Meanwhile Djokovic yesterday teamed up with brother Marko to beat Turkey’s Cem Ilkel and Qatari player Mubarak Shannan Zayid 6-3, 3-6, 10-6.
Djokovic, a two-time winner in Doha, said yesterday: “Well, I’m glad to end up 2018 with a win with my brother on the court. That was a very special moment. We played so far I think maybe four or five tournaments together, doubles, and we’ve never won a match, so today was a day we will remember together.”
The 31-year-old Serbian added: “ (Am) just starting the new year with a good intention, good energy, trying to be present, be happy with everything that I have that is happening to me. I’m very blessed to play the tennis. I love this sport. I keep on striving in a way to accomplish great things and see how far I can really go you know with my career.”
Also yesterday, seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut brushed aside Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-1, 6-4 to move into the second round. In another first-round clash yesterday, Nicolas Jarry of Chile beat Dutchman Robin Haase 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in 2 hours 38 minutes.