Fernando Verdasco knocked out of Qatar Open

Fernando Verdasco has suffered a second-round defeat at the Qatar Open.

The eighth seed was beaten by Victor Hanescu 4-6 7-6(0) 6-2 in one hour and 58 minutes.

Verdasco appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory when he clinched the first set 6-4, but went down on a tie-breaker in the second before being dismissed with ease in the decider.

Hanescu will now face Florian Mayer in the quarter-finals of the tournament.