FERNANDO VERDASCO performed an impromptu Flamenco dance after booking his place in his first Wimbledon quarter-final and promised to reprise the act if he can knock Andy Murray out of the championships on Centre Court tomorrow.
The Spaniard has won only one of his nine previous meetings against the Scot but he had all the right moves against French outsider Kenny de Schepper on Court No.3 yesterday. On game, set and match he then marked his first visit to the last eight at his 11th attempt here by cavorting around in a tribute to new coach Ricardo Sanchez, who has spent the last few days listening to the music of legendary Spanish raconteur El Fary, whose back catalogue includes such classics as Torito Guapo and El Dinero.
"My coach is a great fan of one Spanish singer," said Verdasco, a former world No.7 who is now ranked 54th. "So I told him if I won I would do the dance for him. If I win [against Murray], maybe I do that. Or maybe I will do something different. But, I mean, we'll see."
Considering the quarter-final opponents he could have been facing, Murray is entitled to feel rather pleased about facing someone ranked outwith the world's top 50, but not only is Verdasco worthy of respect, he will be the first left- hander the world No.2 has faced all year. The Spaniard's only victory against Murray came in a five-set victory at the 2009 Australian Open but he has dropped a solitary set at SW19 so far this fortnight and was a picture of contentment yesterday after his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory against De Schepper.
"I have a good relationship with Andy," said Verdasco. "I have known him for many years. He practised in Spain when he was younger so we always had a good relationship out of the court and on the court, also.
"In the quarter-finals, you have to expect to play against a top player," he added. "But I'm happy to be here, happy with how I have played. The next match is going to be just one more for me."
Whomever comes through that encounter can be assured of a Polish welcoming party waiting for them in the semi-finals, with Jerzy Janowicz and Lukasz Kubot taking care of Jurgen Melzer and Adrian Mannarino respectively.
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