Tomic recovers to beat Verdasco at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian teenager Bernard Tomic came from two sets down to knock out Fernando Verdasco of Spain 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.

The 19-year-old local favorite came close to going out in the first round for the first time in his four appearances in Melbourne, but he rallied to beat the 22nd-seeded Verdasco after 4 hours and 11 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Tomic, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year for his best Grand Slam result, will face Sam Querrey of the United States in the second round.

Verdasco, a semifinalist in 2009, failed to get past the first round in Melbourne for the first time since 2004.