Strange Head to Heads - 4/13/2011

Date: 4/13/2011
Result: Monte-Carlo R2, Tommy Robredo def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-4 6-3
Why it matters:
- Another win for Robredo over Verdasco, at least on clay.  What is it about this match-up that is so difficult for Verdasco?  Robredo is certainly more patient, usually effective on clay, also more level-headed, and has a better ability to fight when the chips are down.  But Verdasco has proven he's a tough competitor on clay, too.  He has firepower, the modern clay court inside-out forehand, and plenty of experience - additional qualities that work well on clay. Sometimes certain head-to-heads are skewed strangely.  I think this is just one of those examples that doesn't really have a great explanation.  But for Verdasco, he'll need to keep trying to get over that hump.  Maybe next event...
- For Verdasco, meeting the person he can't seem to beat on clay so early in Monte-Carlo is particular bad luck.  As defending finalist, his ranking is about to take a big hit, and his results and form this year don't indicate that things are going to turn around any time soon, when he still has a title in Barcelona, semifinal in Rome, and final in Nice to defend.  What's more, he's let a personal problem cost him a shot at defending in Barcelona - he feels unappreciated.  Verdasco is opting instead to skip the tournament and play in the 250 level Estoril event instead the week after.  Having personal pride is important, but Verdasco needs ranking points.  He should've really just bitten the bullet and entered anyway.  The best revenge would be to win the title again.

Honorable Mentions:
- Monte-Carlo R2, Nicolas Almagro def. Maximo Gonzalez - 67 75 76 - Given their career paths and respective years, who would've expected this kind of dogfight.  But you know a match is good when you've got other players tweeting about it almost point-by-point.  It just goes to show that a lot of effort and determination can get you close on clay and make for great matches.  Unfortunately, sometimes it can't take you across that finish line.
- Monte-Carlo R2, Andy Murray def. Radek Stepanek - 61 64 - Murray finally wins a match!  And on clay, no less, without his clay court mentor Alex Corretja. This was a solid win over someone who knows how to work a clay court well.  But for Murray it's always going to be about attitude.  I think his extended mental vacation (not to mention physical vacation having played so little tennis) may just have refreshed him.  But as I've said previously, he better have some positive momentum come Wimbledon if he wants any chance of thrilling the home fans in early July.