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Match Details
Fixture: Fernando Verdasco vs (6) Jason Kubler
Tournament: Fayez Sarofim and Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship 2023
Date: Monday, April 3
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Royal Oaks Country Club, Houston, USA
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor clay
Prize money: $642,735
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/UK - Amazon Prime Video
Fernando Verdasco vs Jason Kubler preview
Fernando Verdasco will open his Houston campaign against sixth seed Jason Kubler of Australia.
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Ranked a lowly 212th in the world, Verdasco is still looking for his first win of the season after three matches. The former top 10 player lost in the opening round in Dallas, Delray Beach and Doha and lost in the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open.
Coming off a rather modest 2022 campaign, the 39-year-old Spanish left-hander is clearly in the twilight of his career as he yearns for a golden swansong. His last win on the ATP Tour came in the first round at the ATP 250 Sofia Open against Nikoloz Basilashvili last year. The 2014 Houston winner - 11-5 in the tournament - last played the event in 2018, losing in the first round to Denis Kudla.
Meanwhile, World No. 70 Kubler is 7-5 on the season, coming off a first-round loss in Miami a week ago. The reigning Australian Open doubles winner started the year with three wins before losing in the Round of 16 at the Adelaide International 2. Following second-round exits at the Australian Open and the Qatar Open, Kubler made the third round in Indian Wells. The 29-year-old is making his Houston main draw debut.
Fernando Verdasco vs Jason Kubler head-to-head
The two players have never met before, so their head-to-head record currently stands at 0-0.
Fernando Verdasco vs Jason Kubler odds
(All odds as per BETMGM)
Fernando Verdasco vs Jason Kubler prediction
Both Verdasco and Kubler like to dominate opponents from the baseline and tend to play their best tennis on hardcourts.
In terms of claycourt pedigree, Verdasco definitely has the edge over his younger opponent, with five of his seven career singles titles coming on the surface. However, the Spaniard is currently a pale shadow of his former self and is struggling to string together wins as he winds down his illustrious career.
Meanwhile, Kubler is having a dream season, particularly in doubles, and has had more court time than Verdasco this year, and should take the win comfortably.
Pick: Kubler in straight sets
