6 Sep 2010

Verdasco leads strong Spanish contingent into US Open fourth round

8:16 am on 6 September 2010

Fernando Verdasco led the way for Spain in the third round of the US Tennis Open, blasting past Argentina's David Nalbandian 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-2.

The eighth seeded Verdasco was one of a record seven Spanish players through in the top half of the draw, where Rafael Nadal is the top seed.

Another Spaniard through to the last 16 was 10th seed David Ferrer, who eased past compatriot Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2, his reward is a matchup against Verdasco for a quarter-final spot.

Feliciano Lopez made it three out of three in the first quarter of the draw for the Spanish when his opponent, Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine, retired when losing 6-3 4-0.

Nadal could cap perfect day for the Spaniards if he beats France's Gilles Simon later.