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Fernando Verdasco 2009

Tuesday 17 November 2009 10:29, UK

  2. Image: Fernando Verdasco started 2009 with a final appearance at the Brisbane International - only to lose to Radek Stepanek in the final
  3. Image: The Spaniard took his good form on to the Australian Open with first week wins over Adrian Mannarino, Arnaud Clement and Stepanek
  4. Image: And further victories over Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set-up a semi-final showdown with compatriot Rafael Nadal
  5. Image: However, his close friend edged a marathon encounter 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-4 to reach the final
  6. Image: Verdasco then reached a staggering six successive quarter-finals (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Madrid) on the ATP Tour
  7. Image: And the Spanish southpaw had high hopes as he travelled to Roland Garros to compete on his favourite surface
  8. Image: But those hopes were dashed in round three when he ran into an inspired Nikolay Davydenko
  9. Image: Verdasco then arrived at Wimbledon hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time - Britain's James Ward was swept aside in round one
  10. Image: However, his poor run at SW19 continued, big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic ending his run in the last 16 with a four-set triumph
  11. Image: Verdasco then flew across the pond and warmed up for the US Open with title glory at New Haven.
  12. Image: And the 26-year-old started promisingly in New York - Benjamin Becker, Florent Serra, Tommy Haas and John Isner all beaten
  13. US Open quarter-final
    Image: However Novak Djokovic proved one match too far - the Serbian progressing to the semis with a 7-6 1-6 7-5 6-2 win
  14. Image: With plenty of ranking points still to play for, Verdasco headed to the Middle East and reached the final in Kuala Lumpur
  15. Image: But he was denied his second title of the year - Davydenko prevailing 6-4 7-5 in the final
  16. Image: A semi-final run in Valencia put Verdasco on the brink of a World Tour Finals spot - eventual winner Murray ending his title hopes in Spain
  17. Image: And despite a second round defeat to Marin Cilic in Paris, Verdasco's place at the London showpiece was assured