Milos Raonic Puts Fernando Verdasco Away Yet Again

Lauren LynchFeb 17, 2011

Milos Raonic shows his run through Fernando Verdasco to the SAP Open title was no fluke after he did it again on Wednesday beating him, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships first round.

Raonic shows that he can use the concept of smart tennis against his opponents, and said, "Fernando is a player who likes rhythm, especially early in a match, and I like to take that away. I think that's my strength. There are some things I can improve on but I can't be dissatisfied."

Raonic is a wild card into the tournament and Verdasco was the second seed. He is set to play Radek Stepanek at 1:00 pm Eastern Time. Raonic's serve is his strongest shot.

Verdasco is up to the challenge for their next meeting, and grudgingly said, "I hope to play soon against him in clay court to show him what it is to play tennis, and play rallies, and run, and not only serve."

Americans Robert Kendrick, who took out James Blake, 7-6(5), 6-3, and fourth seed Mardy Fish, who took out 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3), are through to the third round in Memphis. However, sixth seed John Isner could not get around his first-round match against wild card Juan Martin Del Potro. Delpo took him out in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

Former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt upset seventh seed Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 7-6(3). Ninth seed Xavier Malisse retired against Florent Serra with a headache.