Ok, well since the first report was a success...here we go again....
First funny thing..Marat came out wearing three layers. You think he was a bit cold?
Marat definteiy got off to a cleaner start than yesterday. Break points in Verdasco's first service game. On one, Verdasco's serve was called in. Marat literally walked around it and then decided to challenge. He shouldn't have bothered.
Marat hitting much better than he was yesterday. Hitting deep, painting the lines. So despite wastin a couple chances he got the break to go 2-0
He then staved off two break points to hold serve. Next thing you know, It's more break points for Marat on Verdasco's serve and seriously, Marat was just playing really solid tennis. None of the cheap mistakes from yesterday.
I mean, at the moment, there is really nothing to say. Marat is playing amazing tennis. It's 5-0 at this point. Verdasco is looking annoyed. He's talking to himself. Marat is just manhandling him at the moment.
Verdasco finally showed some sign of life and won a game to make it 5-1 and force Marat to serve for the set. Which Marat did as cool as you like.
A minor alert with the knee which was probably aggrevated by the cold like a couple people mentioned before. I saw the ATP trainer coming out and I thought it was for Marat. Turns out Verdasco was having knee trouble and he took an injury time out. He got the knee taped.
The tape didn't do much to hold Verdasco together because Marat broke to start the second set. At that point he'd made only 4 UE's. That tells the story right there.
And one thing that was really on for Marat today was the return game.
3-1 Marat now and Verdasco is looking like he can barely walk.
Marat decided to have a quiet time out and let Verdasco back to 3-2 with a hold at love.
Marat then held easily to go 4-2 and in fact on the last backhand down the line which was brillaince from Marat, Verdasco gives him this look like to say, come on man, you've got to be kidding me.
At 4-3 with Marat serving. Verdasco going completely for broke, swingin at everything that came either hit or miss. Marat saved a break point and held serve to 5-3. That's as tough service game he's had all day.
Verdasco held serve and made Marat serve for it. Again, cool as you please Marat held to love and called it a day.
Well he must have felt sorry for us becasue as stressful as it was yesterday today was pure pleasure. Haven't seen Marat play this cleanly in a long while. Not since the back end of last year. And even then.
The best way to sum up the Dr.Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde nature of today and yesterday...last night 81 UE's, today 12.
After the match he gave a courtside interview. Talked about Verdasco being a tough player casue of all that lefty spin. And how the match yesterday with Igor helped get his game in place.
Then they asked about the Hewitt v Lopez match and Marat said that they are both tough players. Hewitt very strong on the return but Lopez with the big lefty serve and good slice. Quick to net. So he said it would be tough for Hewitt.
Then the guy wanted to know what Marat living up the Vegas night life or was he going to bed early with a book? (is it me or do we get kind of tired of these questions?And if we do how must Marat feel?
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Marat said the book becasue otherwise he can't come out and play such good tennis as he did today. And he's 27 now and the young days are behind him.
He was cracking up as he said it. HUGE smile, dimples and everything.
Then they congratulated him, he gave the camera a smile and a thumbs up then went to sign autographs and this one little girl gave him a teddy bear. At least that's what it looked like.
Btw... ;D well done Zhenya. He played very well today.
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