15 January 2010 / ,
Spain’s Fernando Verdasco emerged as a strong contender for next week’s Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of world number three Novak Djokovic to book a place in the final of the Kooyong Classic on Thursday.
However, the tournament was hit by two withdrawals that could have a big impact on the first grand slam of the year when world number eight Robin Soderling and US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro both fell victim to injury. Soderling retired hurt with an elbow problem after losing the first set 6-4 against Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic while organizers confirmed that Del Potro had pulled out of the tournament with an injured wrist, without elaborating on the extent of the damage. In the other dead rubber match, Chilean world number 11 Fernando Gonzalez defeated 18th-ranked German Tommy Haas 6-2, 6-4. British world number five Andy Murray, aiming to clinch his maiden grand slam title at Melbourne Park, did his confidence no harm with a 6-1 6-4 victory over 25th-ranked American Sam Querrey in an exhibition match later on Thursday. Melbourne Reuters
