SHENZHEN, China (AFP) – Britain’s former world No. 1 Andy Murray had his hopes of a second ATP Shenzhen Open title dashed on Friday night as Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco won their quarterfinal clash 6-4, 6-4.
Still in the process of recovering from hip surgery in January, Murray had this week produced some of his best tennis of the year at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Centre but in the end was simply undone by Verdasco’s stealth.
“When he had his opportunities, he played well,” said Murray. “First set I had quite a few chances. Didn’t take them. He was very aggressive from the back of the court and didn’t make too many mistakes so he deserved the second set.”
Murray was broken twice – in the ninth game of the first set and the third game of the second.
Both times the winner came after Verdasco had kept the pressure on at break point, and had then pounced to put away his opponent’s weaker second serve.
The 34-year-old fifth seed, who knocked Murray out of the US Open last month, also used his own serve to good effect, firing down 11 aces for the match.
Verdasco was able to repel the majority of the attacks mustered by Murray, ending the match having staved off five of the six break points he faced.
