ATP roundup: Verdasco KOs Murray at Cologne

[October 14, 2020]  Fernando Verdasco recorded seven aces as he knocked off Brit Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday in the opening round of the bett1HULKS Indoors at Cologne, Germany.

The victory was just Verdasco's fourth in 17 all-time meetings against Murray, although the Spaniard has now won their past three matchups. Verdasco will face top-seeded German Alexander Zverev in the second round.

Among the other winners on Tuesday was eighth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia. Cilic had nine aces and saved 15 of 18 break points while prevailing 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 over American lucky loser Marcos Giron.

St. Petersburg Open

Third-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev rolled to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Canada's Vasek Pospisil in the first round in Russia.

Fourth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov recorded a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australia's James Duckworth. Sixth-seeded Milos Raonic was tested early by American qualifier J.J. Wolf before registering a 7-6 (5), 6-1 victory.

Seventh-seeded Borna Coric of Croatia also advanced, beating Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 7-6 (2).

Forte Village Sardegna Open

Fifth-seeded Lorenzo Sonego defeated fellow Italian Giulio Zeppieri 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the first round at Santa Margherita di Pula, Sardinia.

Sonego won 82.4 percent of his first-serve points against the wild-card entrant.
 

Sixth-seeded Spaniard Pablo Andujar fought to post a 7-5, 7-5 triumph over Slovakian qualifier Jozef Kovalik. Andujar saved two set points in the opening set.

--Field Level Media

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