Verdasco, Almagro to meet in final

Fourth seeded Fernando Verdasco beat Santiago Giraldo in straight sets to reach his first final of 2014, where an all-Spanish battle awaits.

Verdasco eased past Giraldo 6-4, 7-5 in the first semi-final match at the US men’s clay court championship. Former world number seven Verdasco will try to earn his first title since 2010 against third seed Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro, who advanced when American Sam Querrey was cut down by a back injury. “He’s really dangerous on clay,” Almagro said of Verdasco. “He’s serving well. It will be a nice final. We are going to do our best.”

Almagro lost in last year’s Houston final to American John Isner.

Verdasco, who advanced to his 19th final on the Tour, is seeking to snap a six-match losing streak in finals.