SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Fernando Verdasco made it to the SAP Open final for the second straight year, surviving a tough second set to beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals Saturday night.
Verdasco will play Sunday against unseeded Milos Raonic, who advanced to his first ATP Tour final in a walkover after second-seeded Gael Monfils pulled out of the tournament with an injured left wrist. Verdasco beat Andy Roddick in three sets in last year’s final.
Verdasco broke del Potro’s serve in the opening game of the match and rolled to the first set, losing just three points on his serve. He had to overcome his first lost service game of the tournament early in the second set and hit a forehand winner for the key break that made it 5-4. He held his final serve at love, winning it with an ace.
