Yesterday: Fernando Is Back And The Tricolor Duel

Fernando Verdasco returned to the tour after being out with an ankle injury. This was his first match since his great showing at the Australian Open earlier this year. He is back sporting a more severe fauxhawk and a new coach, Darren Cahill.

The Spaniard played this year’s Brazilian Open finalist and fellow lefty, Thomaz Bellucci. Verdasco looked good and moved well on the court. The young Brazilian stayed with Verdasco in the first set and had a big serve of his own until Verdasco broke him during the twelfth game. After losing the first set, the Brazilian lost steam. Bellucci was broken the second game of the second set and then Verdasco cruised to victory to win the match 7-5 6-1.

Verdasco will face Richard Gasquet in the third round. Gasquet currently leads their head-to-head 4-1. In their last meeting, Verdasco beat Gasquet in Canada in their 2007 meeting.

Gasquet beat fellow countryman, Michael Llodra prettily handily 6-4 6-0. Gasquet did everything well. Llodra tried to come to the net, but that did not seem to rattle Gasquet.

(images l to r: EFE, Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)