Fernando Verdasco defeats Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 in three hours and 18 minutes to reach the semifinals of Rome.
In sign of things to come, the first game lasted over nine minutes. Verdasco rebounded from 2-0 in the tiebreak to take the first set, and scored a decisive break in the third game of the third set to win the marathon encounter.
It was Verdasco's second victory over Djokovic in as many Masters events -- the Spaniard easily won their meeting in the Monte Carlo semifinals 6-2, 6-2 two weeks ago.
Verdasco is now 12-1 on clay this month, his only loss coming against Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo final.–K.T.