By Aron Pilhofer

Fernando Verdasco advanced to the third round today, but it was a struggle against qualifier Rui Machado of Portugal, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-0. Ranked 200th in the world and playing in his first Grand Slam of any kind, Machado competed like someone with nothing to lose against the 13th seed from Spain. After winning the first set, he took the second to a tie break, which Verdasco won. After a routine 6-4 third set, Verdasco appeared to be headed for an easier finish, but Machado kept coming back. He charged to a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, serving at 40-0 when he appeared to put the game away with a short volley. But after striking the ball, Machado nudged the net with his foot, which cost him the point. Verdasco went on to win the next four points to get the break back, which eventually led to a tie break.

Fernando Verdasco advanced to the third round today, but it was a struggle against qualifier Rui Machado of Portugal, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-0. Ranked 200th in the world and playing in his first Grand Slam of any kind, Machado competed like someone with nothing to lose against the 13th seed from Spain. After winning the first set, he took the second to a tie break, which Verdasco won. After a routine 6-4 third set, Verdasco appeared to be headed for an easier finish, but Machado kept coming back. He charged to a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, serving at 40-0 when he appeared to put the game away with a short volley. But after striking the ball, Machado nudged the net with his foot, which cost him the point. Verdasco went on to win the next four points to get the break back, which eventually led to a tie break. As in the first two sets, Machado’s steady, looping topspin strokes seemed to bother Verdasco, pinning him well behind the baseline where his powerful forehand was far less effective. Each player had chances, but neither was able to gather a lead. Verdasco had the first match point at 6-5 against Machado’s serve, but again steadiness won over strength and Verdasco netted an easy forehand. Next, Machado had a chance to win the set with Verdasco serving at 6-7. After a short rally, Machado managed to level the match when Verdasco floated a forehand past the baseline. In the fifth, however, Verdasco simply took over, winning all three of the break points Machado gave him and committing just two unforced errors. He will face Igor Andreev, the 23rd seed, in the third round. Also today, Novak Djokovic, last year’s finalist, advanced to the third round, beating American qualifier Robert Kendrick in straight sets, 7-6 (8), 6-4, 6-4. He will face Marin Cilic, who defeated another American, Robby Ginepri, in four sets today, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.