Creature Vs. Creature: Nadal Vs. Verdasco, Will He? Won't He? Vamos Verdasco

For a Nadal perspective, check LJS piece here

The second men's singles between the two Spaniards will be a confusing affair at least from the Spanish perspective. Its a question of " heads we win, tails you lose " and thus even if the match may not be as electrifying as the Federer-Roddick semi, it is no doubt a speculative affair.

This editorial is a creature v/s creature between me and Long John Silver. We will be giving specifications about the ' For ' factor as well as the ' Against ' factor for both players in each article. This one deals with Verdasco while Long's at Rafa.

Fernando Verdasco:

About: Seeded 14th, Verdasco was a member of the Spanish Davis Cup team that defeated argentina last year. Before the Oz Open, I am sure not many people would have given him a second glance or predicted his foray into the last four.

En route to the semis, he caused a major upset of the bookies' favourite andy murray who was predicted to be the winner of the first slam of the year. After that, he proceeded to wreck havoc to tsonga's game in the QF.

Will win if: Verdasco's confidence seems to have bolstered by his victories against these two players. In any case, one of these was an upset that no one saw coming.

I don't know much about his game but I can say one thing for sure, his game against Tsonga was better than what he played against Murray. If he manages to hover around the same level or probably accentuate it, it would be difficult for Rafa to placate him.

Perfect shot selection along with perfect execution should help Verdasco and also the knowledge that Rafa was struggling a bit against Simon although he managed a win ultimately should aid Verdasco.

Will lose if: Rafa decides to go for the jugular. If Rafa displays any sheen like he generally does in the clay then Verdasco [sorry for the harsh word] be doomed. To give credit to Rafa, his game this time has been different from the previous time he played here. He looks ready to go for a hard court slam.

Coupled with the fact that Federer has already reached the finals, Rafa would want to stop Federer in his tracks of a record equalling 14 slam count.

And if Rafa starts bludgeoning and Verdasco loses his focus and confidence then the Madrid crowd better start rooting for the Mallorcan.

Intangibles: Crowd, doesn't have much weightage here. Only neutral Rafa and Verdasco fans hold much importance and even then the hard core, intense rivalry atmosphere won't be there.

As far as the heat is concerned, the match is being played in the evening and even though its hot and humid both in the day and night, the absence of the sun's glare should be good enough and in spite of the fact that both the players are physically sustainable, the heat can nevertheless be energy sapping.

This one match holds the key to the final. Whoever wins it, it will be an achievement. for Verdasco, it will be the first time he would have qualified for a final and for Rafa, it will enable him to get out of the " Clay Court Master " tag. May the best man win!