ATP New Haven – Verdasco and Andreev battle for a spot in the final

New Haven, CT – Fernando Verdasco and Igor Andreev will battle for a spot in the Pilot Pen final on Friday afternoon when they meet for the fifth time in their careers. Second seed Verdasco, who entered the tournament on a wild card, owns the 3-1 lifetime edge over Andreev but the Russian captured the last victory when the pair met beating Verdasco in the R32 at the US Open 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Since losing so easily to Andreev at the 2008 US Open, Verdasco has undergone a complete transformation as a player. His makeover so utterly complete, Verdasco broke into the top ten for the first time in his career on the heels of some noteworthy performances – a semi-final appearance at the 2009 Aussie Open and five quarterfinal appearances at the Masters – Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid.

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Still, as great as his results are – indeed many would kill for such turnouts – he has no titles on the season and the only final he reached was at the start of the season in Brisbane, which he lost 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 to Radek Stepanek. The nagging question somewhere at mind’s back is whether Verdasco has peaked, reached his potential. He does well enough up to a certain point and against certain players but he has not found a way to break through to a title this season. I admire all he has achieved and there is too much talent in the Spaniard’s game to begin suggesting that his rise to prominence in 2009 is now done a u-turn, on its return trip back to obscurity. But something has to give sooner or later. Maybe at the Pilot Pen tournament?

Tennis Betting Line:

Igor Andreev +3½ -120 +235 22½ O -120 U -120

Fernando Verdasco -3½ -120 -375 22½ O -120 U -120

Match Time: 01:30 P.M. Eastern Time Friday August 28 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict: The battle between Verdasco and Andreev will be a forehand extravaganza – don’t hold your breath for backhands, sometimes, with Andreev in particular, you might never see a backhand for the amount of times he runs around it. They each have one of the best forehands in the business and they are not shy to showcase it. These two will pummel each other from the baseline, relentlessly. Should be an awesome match to watch.

Who will win the contest of the best forehands in the business? Methinks, Verdasco will and he will reach his second final of the year as a reward. Of the two, he is in better form. Andreev is a dangerous floater and he should not be underestimated but he has had his struggles this season and his confidence has been shaky.

Tennis Free Picks: Verdasco in straight sets -375 | Over 22 ½ -120