Verdasco Reaches Bastad Final, First in over a Year

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Verdasco Reaches Bastad Final, First in over a Year

By Chris Oddo

(July 13, 2013) -- Fernando Verdasco eked by 22-year-old Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals of the SkiStar Swedish Open on Saturday, 7-6(3), 5-7, 7-5.

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The red-hot Spaniard is into his first final since March of 2012, when he lost to David Ferrer at Acapulco. In 17 previous finals, Verdasco owns a 5-12 record, and has lost five consecutive finals since capturing his fifth career title in Barcelona in 2010.

“It's more than a year without being in the final, so it's very special,” said Verdasco. “After the injuries that I had in February, and I had in my knees like all last year--it was hard to play and be feeling well after a while--I'm so happy.”

Verdasco secured a late break against the youngest player in the ATP's top 40 to secure the victory in just under two and a half hours. “I finally broke his serve in the last game before the tiebreak,” said Verdasco. “I was a little lucky to come back from 30-15 for him and finally make three points in a row and win the match.”

In his first meeting with Dimitrov, Verdasco broke serve on four of eight opportunities, while allowing the Bulgarian four breaks on five opportunities.

Verdasco is the 12th different Spaniard to reach the Bastad final. His opponent will be the Argentine Carlos Berlocq.

Berlocq ended Thiemo de Bakker's run with a 7-5, 6-3 victory. Berlocq is into his second career final. He lost the Vina del Mar final to Juan Monaco in 2012.

De Bakker, who defeated top-seeded Tomas Berdych on Friday, managed to win only 9 of 27 second serve points against his opponent.

Verdasco defeated Berlocq in their only previous meeting, 7-5, 7-6(3), in Auckland in 2012.

(Photo Credit: AP)