Verdasco bags Pilot Pen title

Fernando Verdasco won his first hard-court title with a 6-4 7-6 victory over American Sam Querrey in the final of the Pilot Pen Tournament.

Spaniard heads to Flushing Meadows on a high

Fernando Verdasco won his first hard-court title with a 6-4 7-6 victory over American Sam Querrey in the final of the Pilot Pen Tournament. The Spaniard saw off Russian Igor Andreev 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) in the earlier semi-finals, while sixth seed Querrey was a 6-3 6-4 victor against Argentina's Jose Acasuso. And it was another close match for the second seed on the eve of the US Open after Querrey battled back in the second set to force the tie-break. Verdasco, who takes on Benjamin Becker in the first round at Flushing Meadows, was leading 4-2 when Querrey broke back to level before surging ahead in the breaker. However, Verdasco battled back to win it 8-6 and ensures he travels to nearby New York high on confidence. "The second set was a little bit strange because I was 4-2 up, playing good," Verdasco said. "He started playing much better; I started playing a little bit worse. I don't know how I turned it around again, with 6-3 down in the tie-break. "I was also a little bit lucky that I served two big serves. I won the two points from 6-3 to 6-5 only with my serve, and also the double-fault he made with his 6-all. I think I was just a little bit lucky today." The final was played outdoors after the semis were brought inside because of the persistent rain that forced them to be postponed on Friday.