ICYMI: Spaniards Verdasco, Garcia-Lopez Win 1st Titles Since 2010 in Houston and Casablanca
Steen Kirby, Tennis East Coast
ATP Houston
Fernando Verdasco has participated in 6 ATP tournament finals since 2010, his last title, and he finally won one, defeating his good friend and fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-3 7-6 to win the title in Houston.
Nando beat Americans Steve Johnson (in 3 sets) and Donald Young (in straights) before beating Santiago Giraldo in the semifinals to reach the final. Almagro beat Americans Michael Russell and Jack Sock in straights, then got a walkover against Sam Querrey in the semis.
Verdasco was prevented from winning both Houston trophies this week by the Bryans, who defeated him and his partner David Marrero to win the doubles final.
ATP Casablanca
Spaniards also dominated on the clay in Casablanca, as Guillermo Garcia-Lopez beat fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers in 3 sets to win his first title since 2010. GGL beat Mikhail Kukushkin, Carlos Berlocq, and Benoit Paire without dropping a set, then defeated breakthrough qualifier Roberto Carballes Baena in the semis in 3 sets to reach the final.
Granollers beat Albert Ramos, Pablo Carreno Busta and Federico Delbonis to reach the final for his part. Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau won the doubles over Lukas Dlouhy/Tomasz Bednarek.
Tennis Atlantic 