Fernando Verdasco is into his first final of 2017 after the former World No.7 beat Dutchman Robin Haase 76 57 61 in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships semi-finals.
Verdasco was recovered from an early break of serve in the first set to force a tie-break. He then edged the tie-break with a late mini-break to lead by a set.
Haase mirrored his early form of the first set in the second, shrugging off the disappointment of losing the opener by holding and then breaking Verdasco’s first service game. Again though Verdasco came back, and the set was on serve at five-all, looking like it might follow the first set into going to a tie-break. Haase, perhaps remembering the way the first set had turned out, made a concerted effort when leading six-five. He was rewarded by gaining a number of errors from the Verdasco backhand, and levelled, thus avoiding the tie-break situation.
Verdasco was predictably the more aggressive player, with more winners and errors flowing the Spaniard’s racket. Haase was mainly playing high loopy balls, keeping the length of points as long as possible in hopes of drawing the error. Verdasco then took a page from Haase’s book, earning an early break in the third, as the lower-ranked man visibly began to struggle.
Verdasco earned a double-break, beating a net-rushing Haase for 4-1, and the match seemed all but over. Haase earned two break points at 15-40 in the sixth game, but was again found wanting at the net, and a forehand winner from Verdasco quickly doused the flames of any comeback hopes for Haase.
Verdasco, having displayed some nerves beforehand, in what was easily the biggest match of the year for both players, played freely as Haase attempted to serve to stay in the match. The World No. 35 created some beautiful angles with his forehand, hitting a number of winners to break and reach the final with a final match time of two hours and sixteen minutes.
Verdasco now awaits the winner of World No. 1 Andy Murray and Frenchman Lucas Pouille from the top half semi-final.
Verdasco, will now likely move back into the Top 32 as a result of his run at this tournament regardless of whether or not he wins in the final, a ranking that would be good enough for a grand slam seeding. Verdasco will be a tough assignment for either Murray or Pouille, as he has already taken out seeds in Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut at this event.
