Australian Open semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco has revealed how Davis Cup success boosted his confidence.
Australian Open semi-finalist says Spanish success changed his life
Fernando Verdasco has revealed how Davis Cup success gave him the boost in confidence he needed to scale the heights at the Australian Open.
The number 14 seed reached the semi-finals in Melbourne on Wednesday after defeating fifth seed and 2008 runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
He will now play fellow Spaniard and world number one Rafael Nadal for a place in Sunday's final.
Verdasco said that his come-from-behind win against Argentina's Jose Acasuso, which clinched the trophy for Spain in November, has taken his self-belief to another level.
"The Davis Cup, it changed my life so much and gave me a lot of confidence. It mentally made me much stronger for these matches here - the five-set matches and the pressure because it's a grand slam," the 25-year-old said.
"That tie in Argentina made me grow up a lot, I think, as a tennis player."
Agassi advice
Bolstered by that success, Verdasco headed to Las Vegas during the off-season to speak to former world number one Andre Agassi as well as work with his former fitness guru Gil Reyes.
He has continued to go from strength to strength in 2009, reaching the final in the Australian Open warm-up event in Brisbane before ousting two of the top five seeds - Andy Murray and now Tsonga - in Melbourne.
"What I'm thinking right now is that I'm playing good. I'm feeling good and I'm in semi-finals," Verdasco added.
"If I play against (Nadal) it's going to be the toughest match possible. But, you know, I'm feeling pretty good and I just want to go out there for first time in the semi-finals in a grand slam and enjoy that moment and do my best.
"Right now I'm feeling pretty good, and I just think that I can beat anyone. But, you know, the same way that I can win, I can lose.
"I'm playing with the best players in the world so of course they are always tough matches."
