Los Cabos Open started its first edition with a clash between two Spaniards, Marcel Granollers would take on Fernando Verdasco at the Pegaso Stadium. Granollers who is the eighth seed led the head-to-head 2-1, however, it was Verdasco who had won in their last meeting in 2015 at Cincinnati. Verdasco came back from a break down in the first set which helped him force it to a tiebreak, but Granollers ran away with the first set. In the second set, the eighth seed showed his full dominance as he only let Verdasco win two games. Marcel Granollers booked his spot into the second round in just 96 minutes with a win over Verdasco 7-6, 6-2.
Tight first set between the Spaniards
Both players began with an exchange of holds and while Verdasco managed to hold comfortably to lead 2-1 it wasn’t the same story for Granollers who had to save two break points to level things up to 2-2. Unlike his past service game, Verdasco had a very erratic game which helped Granollers to take the first break of the set and go up 3-1. The eighth seed consolidated the break in the best way possible as he held his serve to love. Once again Verdasco found himself in trouble as he faced three break points, however, this time, the one from Madrid was able to save them all and eventually hold his serve to shorten the gap to 3-4.
After missing the chance to extend his lead, Granollers was forced to save one break point, nevertheless, it was the one from Madrid who seemed to be playing better and he showed his improvement when he broke to level thing up at 5-5. After another exchange of holds, it was Granollers who had the opportunity to break again after Verdasco couldn’t close the game. However, the one from Madrid wasn’t going to give up that easily and saved his serve despite facing four break points to secure a tiebreak. Unlike Verdasco, Granollers held his serve without any complications.
Verdasco started with a hold, but quickly Granollers went ahead leading 2-1 after his serve. A backhand unforced error helped Verdasco to level the score. Granollers was using all the court and tried to finish one point with a smash but Verdasco replied with an outstanding passing shot which put him on the lead at 3-2. After a forehand winner from Verdasco, it was now time for Granollers who hit a drop shot that put him one point closer to his opponent at 3-4. After that point, everything was for Granollers who ended up taking the first set after a missed forehand from Verdasco.
Verdasco drops his level, Granollers takes every opportunity
Granollers started the second set with a hold and then went on to break Verdasco to take the early lead in this second set. The eighth seed quickly ran away with a 3-0 lead which put a lot more pressure on Verdasco who seemed to have lost his confidence and was making more unforced errors. The one from Madrid finally put a number on the scoreboard as he held his serve to make it 1-3. However, Granollers was not giving anything away and continued his winning streak closing his service game with a hold to now be up 4-1.
Verdasco once again was in an uncomfortable position as he had to come back and save two break points to hold and stop Granollers from serving for the match. On his serve, Granollers started reaching a drop shot and ending up winning the point with a volley to eventually put himself one game away from the second round after another unforced error from Verdasco. There was no hesitation from Granollers as he closed the match with a hold to love and an ace.
Granollers' thoughts after the match
“It was a very complicated match. I managed to get through a very tough first set as I was losing in the tiebreak. I’m very pleased because it was a great match, and I’m happy to be in the second round,” he said when asked about his winning record against Verdasco. “The first set was a long one. In the first set, he had chances to take it and I think that first set really changed the match."
In the second round, Marcel Granollers will have to face Germany’s Tobias Kamke who defeated Tim Smyczek in three sets. This will be the first meeting between these players.