The narrative was all set for Fernando Verdasco to fall earlier this season.

The former World No. 7 was supposed to let the young up-and-comer, Frenchman Lucas Pouille, continue his ascent up the Emirates ATP Rankings and win his first ATP World Tour title in Bucharest.

Verdasco, though, had different plans. The 32 year old swept past Pouille 6-3, 6-2 to win the BRD Nastase Tiriac Trophy, his first title in two years. At the same time, the Spaniard reminded the tour that he plans to compete for titles for many years to come.

This week, in his debut at the BB&T Atlanta Open, Verdasco will try to continue his upstart 2016.

“It was great to win a tournament again,” he told ATPWorldTour.com in Atlanta. “I’m trying and working hard not only to win titles – of course winning titles is the best feeling at the end – but also to be competitive every week and to win matches. To try to be at the level that I used to be, meaning that if I play good I can beat almost every player in the world.”

He experienced that level earlier this season. In Australia, the left-hander knocked out countryman and fifth seed Rafael Nadal, coming back from two sets to one to win 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

The Madrid native maintained his form by reaching the BNP Paribas Open third round before Nadal gained revenge. Verdasco found his most consistent play, though, on the Bucharest clay in April. He overcame compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Pouille to win the seventh ATP World Tour title of his career.

Two months later, the left-hander celebrated his second Top 5 win of the season by defeating Stan Wawrinka at The Queen’s Club 6-2, 7-6(3). His season improved even more last month when he reached his 21^st ATP World Tour final at the SkiStar Swedish Open (l. to Ramos-Vinolas).

Verdasco’s record so far this season is 22-15. His 2015 overall record: 24-26.

His ability to stay healthy has been crucial. For much of 2012 and 2013, he said he suffered from tendonitis in his knees and in his wrist. “It was very difficult. Very difficult years for me,” he said.

He also endured a couple of seasons on the ATP World Tour where not everything went his way. At the end of 2013, Verdasco was ranked No. 30 in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Two years later, he had fallen to No. 49.

“You have a few injuries here, a few injuries there. You lose a few matches that maybe could change the ranking with a tight score. At the end, things don’t go your way and it’s not easy,” he said. “But you need to keep trying and fighting and working every day to try to come back. That’s what I’ve been doing the last few years… At 32 [years old], I think I’m having a very good year.”

The numbers say so as well. He’s No. 49 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, but No. 40 in the Emirates ATP Race To London. Verdasco will likely only climb both charts because he has few points to defend the remainder of the season.

“[I’m] looking forward to having a good second part of the season and hopefully to finish as high as possible,” he said.

This week, he’s one of 11 guys playing at the BB&T Atlanta Open for the first time. Verdasco, the fifth seed, opens on Tuesday against Serbian Dusan Lajovic, who won their lone FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting on clay last year in Sao Paulo.

“I’m just trying to do things I have to do as best as possible … I love tennis and I love this world and what I do I’ve been trying to do it all my life,” he said. “I didn’t change much I just have more experience, try to take care of my body more. At the end, just trying to be lucky, also.”

American Taylor Fritz will find himself in an unfamiliar spot when he makes his debut at the BB&T Atlanta Open on Tuesday evening. The 18-year-old California native likely won’t be the fan favourite, despite the fact that he’s playing in his home country.

In the first round, Fritz will face former University of Georgia All-American Austin Smith, who received a wild card into the main draw. Smith grew up in Atlanta and played No. 1 for the Georgia Bulldogs this past spring.

“If the crowd’s against me, I don’t blame them. I’m playing a Bulldog in Atlanta,” Fritz said. “I hope some people cheer for me.”

Smith, who will be making his ATP World Tour main draw debut, would prefer fans stay loyal and root for the hometown favourite.

“I hope the fans all stay on my side,” he said. “But Taylor is a great opponent. It’s going to be a fun match and I’m looking forward to it.”

The 22-year-old Smith has played in ITF Futures events but only one ATP Challenger Tour main draw. He and compatriot Patrick Daciek lost to American Bjorn Fratangelo and Chilean Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-4 at the Binghamton Challenger a year ago.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Smith said of his match with Fritz, which is taking place on ‘College Night’ at the tournament. “Hopefully it will be an exciting match. Hopefully the fans will get into it.”

Smith also said he’s not above trying out his best Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe impression to jeer on the crowd. “I’ll try my best for sure,” he said, “but we have to just get out there and focus on the tennis before anything else.”

Fritz will be looking to carry over success in his personal life to his tennis career. The 18 year old married Raquel Pedraza on 7 July in Rancho Santa Fe, California. “Having the best team around me will ultimately make me the best player. Raquel is an important part of that team and I’m very lucky to have her by my side,” Fritz said earlier about his wedding.

Read More: Fritz Weds Raquel Pedraza In California

The #NextGen star returned to home soil two weeks ago at the Citi Open in Washington. The 6’4” right-hander swept Israeli Dudi Sela, No. 62 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, 6-3, 6-4. In the second round, Fritz fell to #NextGen counterpart Alexander Zverev of Germany 6-4, 6-2.

This week Fritz is one of 11 players making their Atlanta debut.

“I’m just looking forward to playing on hard courts in my home country and hopefully doing well,” he said.

This week also marks the first time Fritz has been seeded in an ATP World Tour event. He’s the eighth seed in a draw that features compatriot John Isner as the top seed, Aussie Nick Kyrgios as No. 2 and South African Kevin Anderson as the third seed.

“It’s a really strong field here so I’m excited to do my best,” Fritz said. “I’m liking it here a lot.”