Ferrer carries Spanish flag in Nadal's absence
Ferrer carries Spanish flag in Nadal's absence
David Ferrer made it known at Wimbledon on Tuesday
that just because Rafa Nadal would not fill his customary berth in the
final, another Spaniard had what it takes to follow in his footsteps.
The seventh seed was at his brilliant best in brushing
aside the towering Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 6-2 6-3 to book a
quarter-final on Wednesday against home favourite Andy Murray.
Nadal, who has reached the final the last five times he
has played at Wimbledon and won twice, was upset in the second round
last week.
Ferrer converted five of his eight break points in a
fourth round match on Centre Court that became more one-sided as it
progressed from an opening game in which Ferrer saved the only four he
had to face.
The 30-year-old, world number five and a top 20 player
consistently since 2005, has come quietly through the draw dropping only
one set, to Andy Roddick in the third round, on his way into the last
eight.
Former U.S. Open champion Del Potro made almost three
times as many unforced errors as his opponent and by the end looked as
subdued as the bleak weather that forced Monday's postponement and the
roof to be closed during Tuesday's warm-up.
Ferrer showed his renowned tenacity and willingness to
scrap for every point not just with retrievals from seemingly impossible
positions but finding astonishing point-winning angles in the process.
He brushed off almost everything Del Potro threw at
him, giving the error-prone Argentine who mixed fine shot making from
deep with poor choices closer to the net, little chance to settle into a
rhythm.
GOOD RETURN
"You have to congratulate him for his consistency throughout the match," the Argentine said.
"There were long and even points and generally the one
attacking was me. He who takes more risks has more chances of failing
but it's the only way (to look for a win).
"He played very well. When he's on that form it's
difficult to beat Ferrer and the rest of those who are (ranked) above
me," the world number nine said.
Ferrer said his return was probably his best shot in this tournament.
"Maybe my return is my best weapon on a grass court
because on grass I don't really have power in my serve. I'm playing very
well with my return," he said.
The rhythm was with Ferrer who, on this form on grass
which is not his favoured surface, will be a formidable opponent for
Murray.
Ferrer, whose previous best at Wimbledon was reaching
the fourth round three times, beat Murray in the French Open last month
and came to London with a 15th career title after victory on grass at
Den Bosch.
The pressure will be on Murray on Wednesday, he said.
"Maybe he will have more pressure than me because he's
playing at home, with his people. Sometimes it's not easy. But I think
Andy is a great player."
