"The Force is strong within you young Verdasco."Apparently, Fernando Verdasco wasn't listening to the pundits about town.
The Spaniard, who served bagels the other day, pulled off a huge upset at the Aussie Open today ousting top fave Andy Murray 2-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round. Nando was at his aggressive best balancing 50 errors with 51 winners, hitting, 74% success on first serve deliveries, and throwing down 10 aces. He'll face last year's finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who defeated James Blake, for a spot in the semifinals.
The 25-year old was understandably excited to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in Melbourne:
Yes, for sure. It was, like I said, I think the second day, for me it was one of the biggest goals for be in quarterfinals for first time in Grand Slam. And I was feeling with big confidence and pretty fit. So I was with confidence to be in quarterfinals for first time. And for sure right now I am so happy, no, to make this goal possible.
He also revealed he was given some "secret" advice from a certain tennis legend during his successful off-season training trip to Las Vegas where he worked with Gil Reyes:
...Agassi came to say hi to me, and I was speaking with him. I don't want to say what he told me, because that's secret (smiling). But really helped me so much. I was speaking with him two hours before he left for the mountains. He was leaving with Steffi to enjoy Christmas.
You know, he was going to ski. I love ski. I was there in the gym working hard, so I was a little bit jealous. But I was just thinking to be ready for the season and start good the year. You know, right now I'm so happy that I took that decision to go to Las Vegas and practice with Gil.
I will go again now. I will go back to Spain to see my family, and then I will go to Vegas for another two weeks to keep working hard there with him ‑ maybe Agassi also. Keep learning, keep improving for Dubai, Davis Cup and Indian Wells and Miami, to be ready.
And what of Anando? Why isn't the same success happening for ex-girlfriend Ana Ivanovic??
Good question. You know, I don't know. I think you should ask Ana more than me about this.No it's not all your fault - I mean, Ana's issues started way before you two started dating each other.
I don't think that is my fault. This is what I think, you know. If you want to know something more, I think you should ask her, no? I don't like to speak about other persons.
Anyway, congrats on the huge win and for proving Roger Federer + Novak Djokovic right this time.
Now my draw is f*cked.
*sobs*
(image via Getty)
I was also shocked, I think no one really expected this. But it's okay, I like Fernando better than Murray. And Rafa has much better chances for reaching the final, and maybe more :)
ReplyDeleteTabasco totally brought his hot sauce to this tourney!!
ReplyDeleteHis body language these days says it all... he knows he can win and that's refreshing to see. Plus he just played really well and I was super excited to see him advance - sorry Murray die-hards :( But what a great moment for him to get to his first Slam quarterfinal :)
I am so glad andy lost - he was approaching Fed's arrogance level and it was really off-putting.
ReplyDeleteFV is playing well, but he's gotta stop grimacing - it messes up his hotness...
FUCK
ReplyDeleteFUCK
FUCK
I like that he won't talk about Ana though, at least he is a gentleman.
coughingcat - I don't think it's fair to say Andy is arrogant at all. I think he's confident, yes, deservedly so, but so far he has been very, very diplomatic regarding his statements. Andy's got a LONG way to go before he gets as arrogant as Fed.
Yeah I wouldn't say Murray is arrogant at all. There's a big difference between being arrogant and being confident, and I think Andy is the latter. He's also handled himself extremely well in terms of reacting to Fed & Nole's comments regarding his worth as a favorite at the AO. He's a great player and he deserved to be talked about, IMO. That said, yes I was excited for Fern to win the match, it was a great moment for him, but part of me does feel for Murray...not getting to at the least the quarters is probably hard on him.
ReplyDeleteI also feel kinda sorry for Murray - but he sure as hell had his chances. I can't believe he let them go.
ReplyDeleteBut good for Tabasco (if I might use that as well, johanne LOL), he deserves it.
And I agree, this really might be a big chance for Rafa - I thought his biggest hurdle could be Andy.
But then, never underestimate those French guys... ;-)
Oh, and I totally agree with coughingcat's comment:
ReplyDelete"FV is playing well, but he's gotta stop grimacing - it messes up his hotness..."
His grimaces are SCARY.
OMG! This is the one match I missed. Shocked am I. Shocked.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention shocked???
*starts putting pins in Gilles Simon voodoo doll*
Just in case, you know. Don't want anything to happen to our boy. Anyone else want a stab?
sonja: of course! it's fun to yell out things like "Yeah Tabasco!" and "HOT SAUCE!" during his matches. Try it out during the next round if you wish ;)
ReplyDeleteMurray lost because he doesn't play like a true Scotsman: wearing kilt and no underwear.
ReplyDelete"it's fun to yell out things like "Yeah Tabasco!" and "HOT SAUCE!" during his matches."
ReplyDeleteor my new fave "You put the chorizo in my paella". kinda hits the spot, no?
I don't think Andy's arrogant but he got a lot of shit for what the bookies and pundits were saying. He was right in feeling confident he could win but he never said he was THE fave. But in any case, he's out and ultimately that's all that matters now.
Onto the Rafa-Gilles matchup: Rafa is looking subime right now so it's hard to see Sneaky Simon upsetting him. That being said, he's still Sneaky Simon so he may have some things in store for The Bull.
>>That being said, he's still Sneaky Simon so he may have some things in store for The Bull.<<
ReplyDeleteRich,
Them are fighting words.
*puts up dukes*
*gets out voodoo Rich doll*
Sneaky Simon will slither slowly away. Ok, I'm not good at the alliteration today. I was up late watching Murray lose. Yay!! Murray is just learning how hard it is to do what Rafa and Fed have been doing for years to stay on top of the competition.
ReplyDeleteTO - I KNOW! He totally lost because he wears underwear. It's maddening.
ReplyDeleteYou know I was too upset by the lost of The Ginge Hotness to really look at the pics just now - but wth? Is Nando working some kinda force here?
"You put the chorizo in my paella"
Best. Line. Ever.
That's where my magical powers come from: going commando under my skirts
ReplyDelete*uses powers to block natch voodoo moment*
Just sayin' about Sneaky Simon - he got to Rafa last season with his unassuming-ness (and a few others.)
"or my new fave "You put the chorizo in my paella". kinda hits the spot, no?"
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT. That sign was hilarious! And very fitting for Tabasco. Muy caliente!! ;)
As for the Rafa/Gilles matchup - Rafa's got this one in the bag. It's best of 5 and he's in much better form than in Madrid. Simon is def sneaky, but no way is he snatching this from that sexy Matador! :)
Yeah Rich, what Johanne said:
ReplyDeleteSimon is def sneaky, but no way is he snatching this from that sexy Matador!
I'm pretty much probably in last place by now with how things are panning out lately.
ReplyDeleteI never would have seen this coming, no matter how good Verdasco's hc game is. wow. The fauxhawk kicks some.
It's pretty cute how Fernando talked about Ana in the press conference. "It's not my fault!"
ReplyDeleteI bet he's not regretting it too much, though. These players would take success on the court over romance any day. Too bad for Ana, now she has neither - but it would drive me crazy to see her go out early just to sit and clap in Nando's box a la Vaidisova or Safarova. No thanks.
I don't care. I'm still sticking pins in voodoo Gilles. I'm ascared of him.
ReplyDelete*punctures wildly*
Rich,
You're granted immunity for putting up the Dokic coach photo. :D :D :D
Just one thought here: Could the Monf/Gilles kissy moment also happen with Rafa?
ReplyDeleteJust imagine... ooohhhh.... o_O
BTW I will totally try out shouting Spanish things during matches, johanne!
ReplyDeleteAs Tabasco is out now, I'll start with something like:
Bésame Rafa!!!
*pouts lips and waits for Rafa Kiss*