Top
Fernando Verdasco UTS on court coaching

Seeds scattered at Countrywide Classic


Second seed Fernando Verdasco and fourth seed Feliciano Lopez both suffered shock defeats at the $475,000 Countrywide Classic on Wednesday.

Frenchman Florent Serra took his place in the last eight at the Los Angeles event by beating Verdasco 6-2, 7-6 and will next play American Mardy Fish, who beat Vince Spadea for his place in the quarters.

Afterwards Verdasco, who served ten double faults, tried his best not to use a sore right ankle as an excuse for defeat.

“He played very good,” said Verdasco. “When I played short, he made long shots, hit good winners. Maybe I was not 100% with the ankle. I tried.”

German Denis Gremelmayr proved too good for Lopez during his 7-5, 7-5 second round success.

Gremelmayrs reward is a quarter-final clash with fifth seed Marat Safin, who cruised through against American Wayne Odesnik 6-3, 6-2.

Top seed Andy Roddick finally plays his first match of the event on Thursday when he takes on lucky loser Dusan Vemic in the night session.

The world No.9 received a bye into the second round.

Tennishead pick of the week Carlos Moya is also in action on day four when he takes on American Amer Delic in round two.


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.