BASTAD, July 21, 2017

Fernando Verdasco defeated fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 6-2 in the Friday’s quarterfinals of the SkiStar Swedish Open, gaining revenge from a loss in last year’s title match in Bastad.

The sixth seed from Madrid saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on three of his own to advance after one hour and 24 minutes.

“I played one of my best matches of the year,” said Verdasco. “I was very solid with my serve the whole match and had chances in most return games. I’m very happy with the level I played today and I think I need to produce this level at least if I want to be in the final again.

“I’ve been close two times in the finals and made quarter-finals and semi-finals. I’ve always played well here in Bastad and I always feel unbelievable. Since my first year here, in 2004, it’s felt like home – although maybe not the same weather! The people are always so nice to me. It’s my 10th time here, it’s a nice number and hopefully I’ll have a big chance to win the tournament here. It would be very special.”

Next up for Verdasco will be compatriot David Ferrer. The two-time Bastad champion saved two match points to fight past Henri Laasksonen from Switzerland, winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 after two hours and 41 minutes.

Dolgopolov To Face Kuznetsov

Aleksandr Dolgopolov upset fifth seed Karen Khachanov 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. The 28-year-old from the Ukraine withstood 20 aces from the Russian #NextGenATP player, hitting three of his own. Dolgopolov won seven points less than his opponent but prevailed after exactly two hours of play.

“He was serving at 3-0 (in the third set) with a double break and my leg was troubling me a bit on serve,” said Dolgopolov, who saved two match points. “But the game went my way and I made a fast break and kept it to just one break. I was just playing my game, relaxed, not expecting anything because I was down a lot. I wasn’t being too tough on myself and it just went my way I guess.”

He will next take on Andrey Kuznetsov, who beat seventh favourite Diego Schwartzman from Argentina 6-3, 6-3. The encounter lasted 66 minutes.

Photo Gallery (by Brigitte Urban):