Fifth seed and world number 48 Fernando Verdasco steamrolled Frenchman Julien Benneteau at the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open, soundly defeating the world number 408 by a score of 6-1, 6-3. The 32-year-old Spaniard opened up his maiden Atlanta campaign with a 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over the Serbian Dusan Lajovic earlier in the week.
Benneteau, who has struggled with injury for most of this season, was completely outplayed in this match. Verdasco, who is just coming off of his seventh ATP World Tour title in Bucharest, overpowered the Frenchman, who is also making his first appearance in Atlanta.
Verdasco takes first set easily in 32 minutes
Entering this contest, Verdasco, who is the eighth ranked Spaniard in the world, owned a 4-0 head-to-head over Benneteau. The two last met in 2013 at Wimbledon, where Verdasco won 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-4. Benneteau has struggled so far this season.
While he has done very well in doubles this year, Benneteau's injuries have caught up to his singles game. The former world number 25 has fallen all the way down to 406th in the world as he has missed so much playing time. Verdasco came out firing from the start. He broke the Frenchman’s serve in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead before consolidating it for a 4-1 advantage.
The Spaniard broke once more before serving the set out. With his seventh winner of the set, Verdasco very comfortably went up a set, taking the opener 6-1 in just 32 minutes.
Fifth seed rides strong play into quarterfinals
Just like the first set went, the Spanish number eight continued to simply outplay Benneteau in every way. Verdasco broke immediately, quickly going up 2-0. He continued to ride-out that break as both competitors held for consecutive games.
Benneteau picked-up his game in the second set, yet Verdasco remained too strong for the Frenchman. After only 55 minutes, the Spainard found himself a game away from the finish line. On Benneteau’s serve, Verdasco found himself with three match points. The Spaniard took advantage, taking the match in just over 58 minutes.
The former world number seven played unbelievable tennis in the hot Atlanta weather. His forehand was sharp all match long, and it showed. Benneteau struggled to keep-up with the 32-year-old Spaniard.
Verdasco claims his 24th victory on the season, whereas Benneteau falls to just 2-9 on the year. Verdasco advances into his first-ever quarterfinal appearance in his début at the BB&T Atlanta Open. He will face the winner of Nick Kyrgios, who defeated American Jared Donaldson on Thursday evening, 7-6(4), 6-3.