Things looking up for Nando these days, feeds The Worm some bagels

Fernando Verdasco is seeing a lot of upside in his game right now.

The Spanish baller absolutely dismantled Radek Stepanek 6-4, 6-0, 6-0 in the Aussie Open third round hitting 34 winners against only 15 errors and landing 81% of his first serve deliveries. In fact, Nando has lost a measly 12 games in three matches and hasn't dropped a single set - impressive indeed.

The 25-year old attributes his new-found success to some off-season training with heralded fitness trainer Gil Reyes in Las Vegas and dealing with some issues in his personal life:

This year feels very different already. Having so much confidence and being really fit means it is easier to fight harder and to have good feelings in your private life, means you are going to be happier and better to go out and play on the court. It has been tough for me just recently because I have had some problems with the family, my father's uncle has been sick and there have been other situations too and I need to be able to focus on the tennis because that is what I have been fighting all my life to be, a successful tennis player. For sure, though, this is my best moment in tennis but it matters also to me to be a good person because it is a lot easier to play well when you are happy rather than sad and depressed.

Was there a hidden reference to Anando in there? He sounds much happier to be focusing solely on his tennis now anyway.

And, it seems at least one half of the former couple got some real training this off-season (or maybe Nando's to blame for stealing Ana's mojo.)

In any case, he's not the only one who's happy the pair finally broke it off:


(images via Getty)