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David Ferrer

The Spanish Inquisition

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James Crabtree is currently in Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open for Tennis Grandstand and is giving you all the scoop directly from the grounds.

David Ferrer during his 5 set win

By James Crabtree

MELBOURNE –
It is difficult to fathom how hard Nicholas Almagro strikes the ball.
He glares with the eyes of a temperamental bull, but hits with the flowing grace and control of a Matador. An interesting scenario, Almagro uses his racquet as a muleta to tease and finish a pesky ferret.
A method that was proving successful for the first time.
Ferrer has beaten Almagro all twelve times they have played, including 5 losses in finals, a matter that doesn’t sit well with Almagro. “I don’t want to think about that. He is the No. 4 of the world. He is the favourite. He beat me many times, but many matches were close.”
Still, this was only their second meeting at a grand slam, and surprisingly Almagro looked like the player with more experience.
Ferrer was coming up against a player who was in rhythm, a player who controlled the rallies with the crosscourt backhand, then owned it with a backhand down the line.
Only one break of serve separated them in the first and second set, proving how many matches are decided by just a few crucial points.
Still, Ferrer was being rushed and uncharacteristically antagonised, vocalising his disdain and even swiping his racquet down on the court.
Meanwhile Almagro had all but passed the finish line and banked a cheque of $500,000, the guaranteed sum for a grand slam semi-final and $250,000 more than the quarterfinal purse.
Obstinate to the last, Ferrer dug in with Almagro serving for the match two sets to love up and 5-4. Now the tension the favourite had felt was all gone. Subsequently Ferrer edged himself forward on the baseline whilst his opponent attempted to win by pushing the ball.
Suddenly Ferrer was playing his typical game, taking the set and reminding his opponent that he still had to finish the quarter final. Ferrer reflected, “Well, it’s very difficult to win [against]Nico [Almagro], no? I think he played better than me in the first set. There was a break.  I play bad in myself in one break.  In the second, I didn’t play good, no?  In the third, I feel better with my game. I can play more aggressive.”
Ferrer had stolen the momentum that Almagro craved and now everyone expected that the match would go the distance.
Indeed, the fifth set came but only after an unbearably tense fourth set, where again Almagro squandered his chances, twice serving again for the match before losing in the tiebreak. “I think the tiebreak of the fourth set I played very good. And in the fifth, he was cramping, problems with his leg, so it was easier for me,” reflected Ferrer to reporters of his 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 victory.
Almagro, nursing a suspected injured groin and wearing an incredulous smile ran out of drive, reeling at the opportunity lost.
The two players hugged afterwards, their level of friendship striking after such destructive circumstances, with Ferrer humble of his achievement, “I try to fight every point, every game. I know all the players in important moments we are nervous. I know that. I try to do my best. Today I was close to lost, sure. But finally I come back, no?”
Ferrer progresses to the semi-final where he will face either Novak Djokovic or Tomas Berdych.

David Ferrer: Waiting in the Wings No Longer

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David Ferrer wins a five set match over compatriot Nicolas Almagro after losing the first two sets

By Yeshayahu Ginsburg

I don’t know how it happened. I don’t know when it happened. But David Ferrer has transformed himself into a top tennis player. Ferrer has been a very good player for a long time now. He has been in or around the top 20 since 2005 and was having good runs in Slams that long ago as well. That’s not what I mean when I say he is a top player. I mean that Ferrer is just a tiny step below the top 4. That’s how good he is right now.
It’s not really possible to point out a time when Ferrer made the jump from “top 15 player” to “player who can compete with anyone”, but it has occurred gradually over the past several years. Starting in 2011, Ferrer really just stopped losing matches to players that he should beat. Since then, Ferrer’s competitiveness and mental toughness against other top players—those who he shouldn’t necessarily beat—has risen gradually but very noticeably.
Ferrer still gets upset. Everyone does. But now, when every tournament starts, Ferrer is almost expected to make the semifinals. Yes, the players like Berdych, Tsonga, Del Potro, and others of that class can beat him. But Ferrer is now expected to win those matches. He comes in as the favorite when he meets anyone below the top 5.
If anyone is benefiting from Nadal’s absence from tennis, it’s Ferrer. In 2011 and 2012, Ferrer used to be an important spoiler in the draw. If he was placed in Federer’s or Nadal’s quarter, he was dead meat. If he was against Djokovic or Murray, he actually had a chance and could pull off the upset. Now, though, it’s his quarter. He is expected to be a semifinalist in all of the major tournaments. Yes, he’s not as much of a favorite in the draw as the rest of the top 3. But he is the first name in the quarter to look for, something that wouldn’t have been true a few years ago, even if Nadal wasn’t there.
Now, though, Ferrer needs to make that final jump that he seems close to making sometimes. He needs to be able to compete on the same level as the top 4. He needs to actually be considered a factor in those matches. It’s not quite fair against Nadal or Federer. They are just bad matchups for his style of play and they always will be. The zero victories against Federer statistic might not last forever, but he is at a distinct disadvantage against Roger even before the match begins. He has beaten Nadal before, but the same principle holds true. Nadal plays the same basic style as Ferrer; he’s just more powerful and plays it better.
What Ferrer really needs to do to compete with the top 4 is build up his mental toughness. And there have been encouraging signs. Beating Tipsarevic in a fifth-set tiebreak at last year’s US Open was both unexpected and encouraging. It showed a level of mental fortitude that Ferrer had seemed to severely lack for basically his entire career until then. Gutting out the epic five-set win over Almagro here in Melbourne was another very positive sign. At the age of 30, it’s not clear how many years Ferrer has left in which he can compete at his top physical form. What is clear, though, is that if he gets enough time to build up his game mentally we may have to keep him in mind with (or just a tiny bit below) the Big 4 at the beginning of Slams. The trajectory is clear. Before 2010, Ferrer was hit or miss at Slams, usually losing in the first 3 rounds. Since Wimbledon 2010, Ferrer has always reached the fourth round. He has reached 5 straight quarterfinals, with three of those being semifinals appearances (including this one). It’s a big jump to reach the level of the Big 4, but that is definitely the direction that Ferrer is heading towards at the moment. Whether he can reach that point is something that only time can tell.

Wizards of Oz (IX): Sharapova, Djokovic, Radwanska, Ferrer, Berdych, and More in the Australian Open Quarterfinals

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Will Agnieszka Radwanska send Li Na into the shadows of this Australian Open?

When the quarterfinals begin, the action in singles compresses to Rod Laver Arena for the rest of the escalating drama.  Here is a tour of what to expect from an all-Russian match, an all-Spanish match, and two collisions between top-eight contenders.
Li vs. Radwanska:  These two top-eight women have compiled a history of closely contested meetings that has taken a few curious turns lately.  After Radwanska won their first match of 2012, Li swept three straight on the second-half hard courts that included two routs.  Aga’s revenge came with a flourish at Sydney last week, when she broke her former nemesis repeatedly en route to a straight-sets triumph, although she struggled to deliver the decisive blow.  That match marked Li’s only loss of a season against twelve victories and a title, while Radwanska has won all 26 of her sets and has collected two titles.
Relatively unheralded as a contender, Li has progressed quietly through the draw but has looked very efficient in doing so as she has spurred memories of her 2011 final and 2010 semifinal here.  Neither player should dominate on serve, despite solid efforts in that area from both here, so rallies should unfold that contrast the Chinese star’s flow with the Pole’s syncopation.  Designed to disrupt, Radwanska’s smorgasbord of spins and speeds will test the rhythmic Li, who will aim to take time away from the world #4 by striking the ball early and constantly redirecting her groundstrokes.  The woman who can impose her tone more thoroughly should prevail in a clash of mentally resilient competitor.
Ferrer vs. Almagro:  Fond of playing Nadal to Almagro’s Ferrer, the man who will become the top-ranked Spaniard after this tournament never has lost to his compatriot.  Some caveats apply, however, such as the dearth of outdoor hard-court meetings in a rivalry predictably centered on clay.  Not since 2006 have these two quarterfinalists met on a surface similar to Rod Laver Arena, since when both of their games have improved dramatically.  Moreover, Almagro often has kept their encounters extremely close, taking Ferrer to final sets in half of them and holding match points in a final-set tiebreak at Madrid last year.
Through the first four rounds, Ferrer has looked slightly the superior player.  Recording his best performance at a hard-court major to date, Almagro needed five sets to escape an inexperienced American in his first match, and his dominance over the higher-ranked Tipsarevic lost some of its luster when the Serb retired.  Also experiencing more difficulty than expected against an unheralded American, Ferrer rebounded from that four-setter to demolish a former tormentor in Nishikori.  That match should boost his confidence for a more familiar foe in a quarterfinal where the favorite’s compact two-handed backhand will contrast intriguingly with the underdog’s florid one-hander.
Sharapova vs. Makarova:  When they met in the same round here last year, the more famous Russian permitted just five games.  Like the all-Spanish quarterfinal, the all-Russian quarterfinal offers the latest edition in a head-to-head controlled exclusively by one player.  Sharapova has lost just one set in four meetings with Makarova, although they played two tight sets in Miami most recently.  Mauled badly by Maria’s return on this court before, the lefty’s serve must sustain the pressure more successfully this time, and a high first-serve percentage would play a vital role in achieving that goal.
Not expected by most to reach consecutive quarterfinals in Melbourne, Makarova claims that she learned from last year’s experience to become a more mature competitor at this stage.  The often fiery Russian indeed looked composed when she upset world #5 Kerber in a tight two-setter, at least outside a wobble late in the first set.  From that passage of play, as well as her flirtation with surrendering a 5-0 lead to Bartoli, one still suspects Makarova when the pressure rises.  Pressure has not entered Sharapova’s vocabulary at this tournament, where she continues to set records of implausible domination.  Never before has anyone lost just five games en route to the Australian Open quarterfinals, which raises the question of how she will respond when and if some adversity does arise.  In a battle between two women who love to create outrageous angles, Sharapova will hope to make Makarova rue her professed eagerness to reverse last year’s disappointment.
Djokovic vs. Berdych:  Winless against the Serb on a hard court, Berdych notched his only victory over him en route to the Wimbledon final three years ago, his best result at a major to date.  Once Djokovic evolved into his invincible self when 2011 began, the Czech never came close to repeating that feat.  Part of this lopsided rivalry has hinged on the contrast between Berdych’s forehand-reliant game and the world #1’s groundstroke symmetry, which offers him a far greater advantage in backhand-to-backhand exchanges than any edge that his opponent can claim in forehands.  Also, Djokovic’s movement allows him to track down the first strikes that Berdych can hurl at him more effectively than can most players, returning them with the depth necessary to maneuver himself into the rally.
On this occasion, though, Berdych may harbor some legitimate reason to hope.  The cathartic but exhausting epic with Wawrinka, which sprawled across five hours, may have left him drained of the energy to grind down the Czech’s offense as he has in the past.  By contrast, his challenger has reached this stage without dropping a set or engaging in any physically taxing battles.  If Berdych claims an early lead, he could test Djokovic’s resilience.  All the same, the world #1 proved his nearly supernatural ability to rebound from one marathon to the next in Melbourne last year when he spent nearly 11 total hours on court in consecutive matches against Nadal and Murray.  Berdych should not gamble on a depleted Djokovic entering the court at his best major.

Federer, Djokovic, Ferrer comment on a Missing Rafa

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James Crabtree is currently in Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open for Tennis Grandstand and is giving you all the scoop directly from the grounds.

Roger Federer in press

By James Crabtree

MELBOURNE — Absence makes the heart grow fonder and in the case of the missing Rafael Nadal at the 2013 Australian Open, never has this been more apparent.
We miss the tenacity, ripping lasso forehand and underpants adjustment. We miss his various on court rituals, the tucking of his hair behind his headband, the wipe of his nose before he serves and water bottle realignment. We even, dare I say, miss his unique contribution to press conferences, no?

And we are constantly reminded of his absence by the posters and adverts that promised his presence.
Even Novak Djokovic misses his rival stating the nonattendance as “definitely a loss for the tournament, for tennis, for sport in general not to have Rafa playing still on the court. It’s been, what, seven months since he’s played his last official match?”
With Rafa away Novak will avoid a repeat of his gruelling six hour marathon from one year ago and Roger Federer will dodge a player he has not beaten in a grand slam since Wimbledon 2007. Scan through the draw and his nonattendance makes for a watered down field.
Indeed the situation for the current world number one, two and three is much improved with all, perhaps secretly, exhaling a sigh of relief at a later stage meeting now evaded.
Roger Federer was quick to state, “Obviously with Rafa not in the draw, that might mean for some of the players they only have to beat one of us, of the top three, maybe none. Who knows what the draw is going to do to us.”
For the fans and Rafa devotees the year’s first grand slam feels half full, and many shall look to capitalise with his absence.
Tour ferret and fourth seed David Ferrer completed his Davis Cup teammate, “Rafael, no, is very important for us. Is a good friend for me. He’s recovering soon, no?” Ferrer informed Tennis Grandstand further that we will see Rafa soon, “I talked two weeks ago when he had a virus. But when I finish this tournament, of course I will talk with him. And I know good news because he’s going to be soon, no, in Chile and Brazil. The only problem is we are missing him now.”
Come back soon Rafa, the game just isn’t the same without you.

Steady As It Goes: Ferrer Cruises Past Nishikori Into Australian Open Quarterfinals

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Ferrer tracked down all of the shots that he needed to reach the quarters.

In a strange match that fell short of expectations, fourth seed David Ferrer claimed his revenge for an Olympics loss to Kei Nishikori by halting last year’s quarterfinalist here in the fourth round.  Nishikori looked sporadically hampered after a brief but impressive surge to open the match, whereas Ferrer played generally solid baseline tennis to prevail 6-2 6-1 6-4.
Saving break points in the opening game with an ace and a service winner, Ferrer struggled to survive deep groundstrokes from Nishikori that showed his improved pace.  The Japanese star opened the court efficiently before closing to the net and finishing points with crisp technique.  Although he could not claim the early lead, he held confidently in his first service game, always important for an underdog.  Nishikori lost little time in thrusting Ferrer under pressure on serve again, constructing points with care as he outmaneuvered his opponent from the baseline.  The Spaniard saved three more break points in a demonstration of his tenacity.
A multiple-deuce game ensued on Nishikori’s own serve, which he erased with an inside-out forehand approach.  With a double fault, though, he conceded the break in deflating fashion.  For a change, Ferrer jumped ahead 40-0 on his serve and held without facing a break point for the first time.  Nishikori again found himself mired in deuce after deuce despite taking an initial 30-0 lead, but he saved a crucial break point with a serve-forehand combination.  Still just a single break behind, he started to look a bit dejected and tossed his racket after a netted groundstroke moved Ferrer to 5-2.  Probably sensing that tone, the fourth seed redoubled his persistence and closed out the set with a break as Nishikori donated a handful of uninspired errors.
In addition to his mental strength, groundstroke depth had played a crucial role in winning the first set for Ferrer.  The run of games for him continued with a difficult hold during which he saved a break point.  But the war of attrition appeared to reap continuing rewards for the Spaniard who specializes in it, Nishikori quickly surrendering his own serve at love with a series of errors.  A quick hold with an ace confirmed the lead for Ferrer.  Summoning the trainer at the changeover, Nishikori again lost his serve at love as the match that had looked so promising began to fade.  Ferrer oddly threw his tottering opponent a lifeline by falling behind triple break point.
Erasing each of them, the last with a spectacular running pass, the fourth seed served out the set with aplomb.  He had yielded just three games over two sets in a surprising display of dominance for someone who had faced five break points in his first two service games.   Unable to convert any of his nine break points, Nishikori must have nourished little hope of a comeback, but Ferrer again fell behind 0-40 at that stage.  He nearly executed another miraculous escape before finally sending a backhand long to level the set.
Not maintaining the positive momentum for long, Nishikori dropped serve for the sixth time in seven games, although the rallies grew more intriguing as his effort level rose.  After Ferrer had led 40-0 in the sixth game, the revitalized Japanese star won five straight points to pull back on even terms, again dictating play by stepping inside his baseline and keeping the veteran well behind his.  The two men traded holds that set up a critical game at 4-4.  Nishikori survived several deuces and earned multiple game points to put Ferrer on the brink of serving to stay in the set.  As his unforced-error total climbed above 60, however, he could not hit through the Spaniard often enough to nudge ahead.
Ferrer served out the match at love with some well-placed first serves, advancing to his third straight Australian Open quarterfinal and his fifth straight major quarterfinal overall.  There, he will face either compatriot Nicolas Almagro or Janko Tipsarevic, against whom he played an epic quarterfinal that reached a fifth-set tiebreak at the US Open.

Wizards of Oz (VII): Djokovic, Ivanovic, Radwanska, Sharapova, Berdych and More on Australian Open Day 7

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Ana Ivanovic gets ready to take a whack at world #4 Agnieszka Radwanska.

At the start of the second week, all of the singles matches shift to the three show courts.  We organize our daily preview a bit differently as a result, following the order of play for each stadium.  From here to the end of the 2013 Australian Open, you can find a preview of every singles match in Wizards of Oz.
Rod Laver Arena:
Kerber vs. Makarova:  When two left-handed women last met on Rod Laver, the match unwound deep into a final set.  Viewers can expect less drama but higher quality from a meeting between the world #5 and a Russian seeking her second straight quarterfinal here.  In this round last year, Makarova recorded probably the best win of her career in upsetting Serena, and she rekindled some of those memories with a three-set upset of Bartoli.  Advancing through the draw more routinely, Kerber reached the second week here for the first time and will look to exploit the ebbs and flows in her opponent’s more volatile game.  Makarova will aim to take time away from the German counterpuncher, in part by opening the court with wide serves behind which she can step inside the baseline.  In a close match, Kerber’s outstanding three-set record and her opponent’s relative frailty under pressure could prove decisive.  The German won all three of their 2012 meetings in straight sets.
Ferrer vs. Nishikori:  Despite his clear superiority in ranking and overall accomplishments, the fourth seed might feel a bit anxious heading into this match.  Nishikori has won two of their three previous matches, both at significant tournaments.  More notable than his victory over Ferrer at the Olympics was a five-set thriller that he won from at the US Open, which introduced the Japanese star to an international audience four years ago.  Chronically beset by injuries, Nishikori overcame a knee problem early in his first match and has won nine straight sets.  As he pursues his second straight quarterfinal here, like Makarova, he cannot afford to encounter any physical issues in a grinding encounter filled with protracted rallies and few outright winners.  Ferrer wore down Baghdatis, a former nemesis here, in a routine third-round clash as his level rose with the competition, but now it rises again.
Sharapova vs. Flipkens:  Perhaps benefiting from the guidance of retired compatriot Clijsters, Flipkens has reached the second week at a major for the first time.  Still, she defeated nobody of greater significance than Zakopalova to reach that stage, and it is difficult to see any area of her game that can trouble the rampaging Russian.  Following her two double bagels, Sharapova conceded just four games to Venus in a highly anticipated encounter that turned into a demonstration of just how crisply she has started the season.  The Belgian’s best chance may lie in the hope that the world #2 enters this match a little complacent or satiated with her statement triumph, not likely from someone of her professionalism.  Their only previous hard-court meeting, in Luxembourg ten years ago, bears no relevance to what might unfold here.
Ivanovic vs. Radwanska:  Early in their careers, the Serbian former #1 hit through the Pole’s defenses with her serve-forehand combinations.  As Ivanovic has grown more erratic with time, the balance of power has shifted towards Radwanska with three straight victories in 2009-10 before a retirement from the former in their most recent meeting.  All of those matches have stayed very close, though, which can give the Serb as she realizes that she will have chances against a player who will not overpower her.  Stalling in the fourth round of majors for most of the last few years, Ivanovic has suffered a long string of losses to top-four opponents.  Currently undefeated in 2013 with two titles already, Radwanska has shown greater discipline and steadiness here (no surprise, really) than the flustered former #1, who has oscillated wildly in form.  Expect the fourth seed to outlast and outwit Ivanovic in an entertaining battle.
Djokovic vs. Wawrinka:  Not exactly known as a steely competitor, the Swiss #2 has acquired a reputation for folding at majors against elite opponents—not just Federer, but Djokovic and Murray has well.  He has lost his last ten meetings against the defending champion, last winning in 2006, although three times since then he has won the opening set.  Demolishing his first trio of victims without dropping serve, Djokovic has not shown any vulnerability that might offer Wawrinka a reason to believe.  Granted, the latter has not lost a set here either, but a matchup with the world #1 in a night session on Rod Laver Arena seems like the type of environment calculated to bring out the worst from the Swiss and something near the best from the Serb.  Parallel to Sharapova and Flipkens, one struggles to imagine any part of the underdog’s game that can threaten the favorite consistently.
Hisense Arena:
Almagro vs. Tipsarevic:  Never before have they met on a hard court, discounting an Abu Dhabi exhibition.  To no surprise, the Spaniard defeated the Serb comfortably when they met at Roland Garros last year, the most favorable surface for the former and the least favorable for the latter.  Almagro remains almost as lethal a threat on hard courts as on clay, producing a handful of fine results in Melbourne and New York behind an impressive serve and plenty of groundstroke first-strike power.  Both men can strike winners down the line from either groundstroke wing, nor will either hesitate in attempting a bold shot at any moment.  That factor, combined with their proximity to each other in the rankings, bodes well for a tightly contested match, as does their mixture of impressive and unimpressive results in the first week.
Li vs. Goerges:  If Almagro and Tipsarevic never have met on a hard court, this pair of women never has collided at all.  Whereas Li rolled through the first week without dropping a set, Goerges needed to claw through a long three-setter in her opener against Dushevina and salvage a third-round epic against Zheng after the Chinese served for the match.  Despite the accumulated fatigue, that resilience under pressure might aid her in a match likely to feature several twists and turns between two streaky women.  Under Henin’s former mentor, stern taskmaster Carlos Rodriguez, Li has hinted at improving her consistency from one tournament to the next.  Starting the year with a title and a Sydney semifinal, she enters this match with an 11-1 record in 2013.  On the other hand, Goerges has wobbled through a long span of the unpredictability typical of WTA Germans, leaving her stagnant until this week.
Margaret Court Arena:
Anderson vs. Berdych:  The first South African to reach the second week of a major since Wayne Ferreira ten years ago, Anderson did it the hard way by winning the last two sets of a five-setter against Verdasco.  Few players have started the year more impressively than he has, marching from a strong week at the Hopman Cup to the Sydney final and now a week in which he twice has won matches after losing the first set.  But Anderson may find himself eyeing adversity again when he meets a man who won all four of their matches last year.  The last two of those reached final sets, offering him some hope in this contest of crackling serves, ferocious forehands, and meager backhands, which should produce repeated holds and perhaps some tiebreaks.  Berdych has dominated the opposition through three rounds with the relentless focus that he does not always show, although he has not faced anyone of a quality approaching the South African.
 

Ferrer Moving On, Baghdatis Packing His Bag

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James Crabtree is currently in Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open for Tennis Grandstand and is giving you all the scoop directly from the grounds.

Marcos Baghdatis reacts after a point during his match with David Ferrer

By James Crabtree

MELBOURNE — If you have ever had a Greek or Cypriot friend you can usually assume they are going to show up late, then stay around till the early hours for a damn good time. Sadly Marco Baghdatis failed to live up to this stereotype, losing before he even had a chance to get started.
The cries of “Mar-COS-Bagh-DA-Tis” rang out well before the colourful Cypriot had taken the court. In fact the cries of his fateful followers echoed through the Rod Laver Arena in the match prior, between Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.
Melbourne, which reportedly has the biggest Greek population outside of Athens, is a home away from home for Baghdatis and can count nine uncles and twenty cousins who live in the country.
Undeniably, Baghdatis was looking for revenge for the last time he had played Ferrer, a loss in Cincinnati in 2010. Ferrer was looking for payback for the last time they played in Australia, a five set defeat also in 2010.
The game had the prefect billing. Cyprus and Spain, souvlaki or paella, Baghdatis versus Ferrer.
From the outset David Ferrer’s plan was simple, outlast and outclass. From deep inside his own backhand side he was ripping forehands, with the quickness to cover his open court or venture forward if necessary.
Ferrer was in control from the beginning, taking the first set with relative ease. Baghdatis meanwhile planned a similar tactic, attempting to grind out each point without the recognition of who he was up against.
We expected it to be tough; we expected exceptional baseline play from two of the finest ball strikers in the game. Sadly it didn’t live up to its billing. Ferrer was too in control, like an older child who didn’t want someone younger to play his game.
Simply, workmanlike Ferrer plays the baseline grind better than almost everybody. He moves the ball and keeps it in play, a simple strategy with the focus of that of a Russian chess master.
There is a reason Ferrer led the tour last year in total wins and captured trophies.
Before the Marcos Baghdatis fans could really find their voice, Ferrer was in control reading his opponents serve early whilst rarely being troubled on his.
The third set was a mere formality for Ferrer, who appeared from beginning to end to want victory more than his opponent, running out with a score line of 6-4 6-2 6-3.
Afterwards Ferrer reflected that he is very much on form and where he wants to be. “Of course tonight it was my best match of this week. I’m very happy for that. For to win in three sets, Marcos, is difficult, no? And I did.”
Next up for Ferrer is an enticing encounter with Kei Nishikori. “It’s going to be a very physical match, no? Because he has a very good shots, very powered on all his shots. So I will be fast in my legs, no?” Ferrer told reporters before adding, “Of course, I will have to play my best tennis for to beat him because he’s a very great player. He’s younger player, and, of course, I think Kei is going to be a top 10 soon.”

Nicolas Almagro No Longer Just a Clay Court Hero

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Nicolas Almagro

By Yeshayahu Ginsburg

Comeback stories and players reinventing themselves seem to have been a theme of the ATP tour for the last few years. It seems like a lot of players are reaching the peaks of their careers around the ages of 28 or 29 recently, instead of the customary 20-24. Players like Mardy Fish and Jurgen Melzer come to mind, who began having their best results late in their careers. David Ferrer is more consistent than he has ever been before now that he is 30 years old.
One such reinvention story, which has really flown under the radar for the past few years, is Nicolas Almagro. Almagro has always been a talented player, which he showed by jumping onto the scene and beating Juan Carlos Ferrero during his campaign to win his first-ever title. Almagro plays a power game that is really built on defense. He has never really had the talent to beat the top players, but he has been raising his consistency in recent years and it has really helped keep his ranking high.
Even with his obvious talent, Almagro has been known for two things. The first is being a clay court specialist; the second is keeping his ranking artificially high by playing far too many small tournaments. In fact, Almagro has played 250 events several times in the past few years even when he had 0 potential points to gain by playing in them. It’s not an unfair critique of him to say that he plays too many of these tournaments. But he is a professional and has every right to do whatever he feels necessary to compete at the highest levels or even just to bring home enough money.
The critique I want to focus on, however, is the claim that Almagro is good on clay and nowhere else. The problem with this complaint against him is, of course, that it is just no longer true. Yes, all 17 of Almagro’s career finals (12 wins and 5 runner-ups) have come on clay; and yes, Almagro is better on clay than on other surfaces. But what very few have realized is that the 27-year-old Spaniard has really picked up his level on all surfaces in the past few years.
Including this tournament, Almagro has now reached the Round of 16 of 4 straight Australian Opens. Before 2010, he had only reached the third round of 2 Slams not on clay. But it’s not just the Slam results that show Almagro’s new all-surface abilities. Before 2010, Almagro reached 5 Masters-level rounds of 16, only 1 of them on hard courts. Since then, he has gone that far 15 times, 8 on hard courts and 7 on clay.
Earlier in his career, Almagro used to look awkward and uncomfortable off of clay. You would almost expect early exits from him on hard courts, even when he was the higher-ranked player. And because he built up that reputation, a lot of people still expect that from him. But it really isn’t fair anymore. He showed his new ability to move on grass when he beat John Isner at Wimbledon in 2011. He also showed his ability to play power tennis on hard courts when he beat Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian Open last year and Ivan Ljubicic the year before.
By now, people who consistently watch Almagro don’t even have this distinction in their minds between clay courts and other courts. Yes, Almagro is still better on clay than on other surfaces. But the distinction is no longer that he is good on clay and bad everywhere else. Now, he’s very good everywhere and even better on clay.

Wizards of Oz (V): Sharapova, Djokovic, Ivanovic, Ferrer, Li, and More on Australian Open Day 5

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Sharapova’s shadow has loomed over the women’s draw through the first two rounds.

A plethora of intriguing encounters awaits audiences as the third round begins at the Australian Open.  Foremost among them are two in the women’s draw, which we include in our latest preview.
WTA:
Kerber vs. Keys (Rod Laver Arena):  Long hovering on the horizon, the 17-year-old Madison Keys has soared into the consciousness of the tennis world by winning four main-draw matches in the last two weeks.  Moreover, she has won most of them decisively, including routs of top-20 opponent Safarova in Sydney and the 30th-seeded Paszek here.  The teenager’s serve could prove a crucial weapon against Kerber, whose superior steadiness and experience should prevail in rallies unless Keys can find a way to unsettle her, which she could with a strong start.  Featured on the show court of a major for the first time, she seems more likely to rise to the occasion than crumble under the weight of the moment.
Li vs. Cirstea (RLA):  Familiar with both rising and crumbling in spectacular style, the 2011 Australian Open runner-up split her two meetings with Cirstea at majors last year.  Li defeated the heavy-hitting Romanian at Roland Garros but lost to her at Wimbledon before battling past her in a Cincinnati three-setter, so she will know what to expect.  While Cirstea defeated Stosur in the first round here last year and can hope to capture that magic again, the moderately paced hard court in Australia would seem to favor Li’s more balanced game.
Sharapova vs. Williams (RLA):  Scanning the WTA elite, one might not find two champions more similar in playing style than these two legends of first-strike tennis.  Both Sharapova and Venus can hammer lethal missiles from both groundstroke wings, and both compete with the ferocity of women whose lungs illustrate their loathing for losing.  Both have the ability to win free points in bunches with their serves, but both also can lose control of that shot beyond repair amidst cascades of double faults.  Both have survived significant bouts of adversity, Sharapova by battling back from a career-threatening shoulder surgery and Venus by battling back from a career-threatening illness.  While the American has accumulated a richer title haul, the Russian owns the more balanced resume.
Their record reflects much of the above, neatly balanced at 4-3 in Sharapova’s favor but skewed 4-1 in her favor away from Wimbledon, where Venus has claimed her greatest achievements.  Not dropping a single game through her first two matches, Maria can expect a steep elevation in her opponent’s quality and must come as prepared to elevate her own quality as she did five years ago here against Davenport.  Like her sister, Venus has produced some of her most dazzling surges when least expected, and she has looked quietly impressive if less overtly overpowering so far.
Ivanovic vs. Jankovic (Hisense):  Those who appreciate tennis largely from an aesthetic perspective may wish to cover their eyes in a pairing of two women who sprayed disheveled errors to every corner of the court in their previous matches.  Meanwhile, those who fancy their tennis served (or double-faulted) with a dollop of drama should enjoy this battle between two countrywomen who have feuded chronically but bitterly.  The superior player by most measures, Ivanovic has dominated their head-to-head as her versatile forehand has hit through Jankovic’s baseline defense.  So high do the emotions run in these matches, though, that one never knows what to expect from one point to the next.
ATP:
Djokovic vs. Stepanek (RLA):  In addition to their five-set epic at the 2007 US Open, Stepanek has troubled the Serb on two other occasions.  He won a set from him at Wimbledon last year by using his idiosyncratic style to disrupt Djokovic’s rhythm.  Even as his career has faded, Stepanek continues to revel in the spotlight and ended 2012 on a high note by winning the decisive match in Davis Cup.  That momentum probably cannot lift him high enough to disturb Djokovic in Australia, where he looks as dominant as ever in all facets of his game.
Ferrer vs. Baghdatis (RLA):  The fourth seed in Nadal’s absence, Ferrer can falter at times with the distractions caused by partisan crowds.  Supported vociferously by Melbourne legions of Greeks and Cypriots, Baghdatis hopes to revive the memories of his charge to the 2006 final.  At this tournament two years ago, he became the first man ever to win after losing the first two sets to Ferrer at a major, surprising in view of their relative fitness.  The fourth seed looked vulnerable in stretches against an overmatched opponent in the last round, while Baghdatis did likewise in another mismatch.  His flat, net-skimming groundstrokes should offer an intriguing contrast to Ferrer’s safer topspin.
Anderson vs. Verdasco (Hisense):  Reprising their meeting at the Hopman Cup this month, this match pits a rising against a fading star.  Like Baghdatis, Verdasco has failed to duplicate his breakthrough performance in Melbourne (a 2009 semifinal), and he should count himself fortunate to escape a five-setter to start the tournament.  On the other hand, Anderson followed his strong results in Perth with a final in Sydney, where he showed poise under pressure.  Expect plenty of quick holds as each man struggles to crack the other’s serve.
Benneteau vs. Tipsarevic (MCA):  Which Tipsarevic will show up here?  The man who fired his way past Hewitt with a blizzard of electric shot-making, or the man who barely edged past Lacko in an unimaginative performance?  Tipsarevic looked a bit drained after the heroics of his opener, and he may pay the price if he enters this match flat, for Benneteau rolled past trendy dark horse pick Dimitrov in the first round.  Although streaky, the Frenchman represents a clear notch upward in quality from Lacko.
Querrey vs. Wawrinka (MCA):  The lanky American with the casual power got a little too casual early in each of his first two matches, dropping the opening sets in both.  Against Wawrinka, a natural grinder who thrives on long rallies, Querrey should discipline himself to eliminate such gifts.  Having lost both of his previous meetings to the Swiss, including a US Open five-setter, he will need to maintain a higher first-serve percentage this time and aim to end points more efficiently.
Almagro vs. Janowicz (Court 3):  In the wake of a bizarre five-set comeback against Devvarman, one wondered whether to praise Janowicz for his tenacity in roaring back after losing the first two sets, or to linger on his immaturity for letting his emotions run astray early in the match.  Without that costly burst of petulance, the match likely would not have lasted as long as it did.   Similarly, Almagro needed much longer than expected to dismiss American neophyte Steve Johnson in another five-setter.  Between the Spaniard’s backhand and the Pole’s forehand, fans should see risky, flamboyant shot-making as each man hopes to exploit a weak section of the draw.
 

Tennis Canapes: Hitting the courts with Djokovic, Sharapova and Del Potro

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James Crabtree is currently in Melbourne Park covering the Australian Open for Tennis Grandstand and is giving you all the scoop directly from the grounds.

Maria Sharapova signing autographs for fans after her win

By James Crabtree

MELBOURNE — The day started well, I got an email from a very noble Nigerian who alerted me to the fact I had inherited $2 million U.S. dollars. So sweet of him to seek me out, will definitely chase that up later.
After a quick brekkie I skipped out like a happy smurf on to Melbourne Park for what turned out to be a canapé kind of day. What on earth do I mean you ask? Simply sampling, a bit of this and a bit of that. And let me tell you that the Australian Open app only forces you to court hop even more.
I started with Nicolás Almagro who was up against fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver. This was a one sided affair for Almagro which meant constant checking of the app for updates elsewhere. Radwanska, Kerber and Venus Williams all dominated quickly as the top seeded women do, except Stosur but more on that later.
Seriously, how about some more upsets? I am starting to believe it was a mistake since Wimbledon 2001 to increase the number of seeds from 16 to 32 and thus in many ways limit the chance for an upset.
Digression over, I hung around for Li Na but it was clear she was going to oust Govortsova although the tall girl with a dodgy serve made a respectable effort in the second set.
A quick walk out of the Hisense arena brought me to Stepanek resting on one court while Del Potro was practicing serves on another. Every time I have seen Del Potro practice, which is now five times, he is always serving. In fact I am starting to believe he doesn’t even practice groundstrokes.
On another playing court was Jurgen Melzer who looked in control against spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, so I skipped that one (even though it did go to five sets). Just beyond that match was another practice court this one showcasing Maria Sharapova, with fans hurdled around like she was handing out free candy — perhaps even “Sugarpova.”
That brought me to lunch although no canapés were on offer. Within the confines of the media restaurant journalists readily stuff their faces. It should be noted that a notable Australian doubles legend, who is commentating, didn’t disappoint. He returned twice (according to the girl working) for a serving of fries with a sweet soy sauce that was scooped from the depth of a bok choy chicken dish. That’s right, no vegetables or meat, just carbs and gravy which may be the secret to his eternal youth.
Back to the infamous Australian Open app and decision making. David Ferrer on Margaret Court or Stan the Man Wawrinka on Show Court 2? I chose Stan, just had to see that backhand, sorry David. Each set Stan was broken he kept his nerve and fought back, although a third set wasn’t needed against Kamke who retired.
On the way out of the Stan match I was greeted with the big screen showing big Berd(ych) cruising. Also worthy of a cruise and a round of Pimms was Tomas Berdych’s old school “lets go yachting” attire and its lack of a sponsor. He wore a plain white collared shirt and hat that felt ever so 1950. The logo on his hat was covered and his socks folded down to disguise a brand, with the only sign of sponsorship being his Nike shoes. “Good show old chap, good show.”
After another quick check of the app and a failed attempt to use the live streaming to watch Jerzy Janowicz playing out his epic two set down comeback against Somdev Devvarman, I finally moved onto the Margaret Court arena. Here David Ferrer ranked 5 and seeded 4, played against lucky loser and sister of Tennis Grandstand writer Tim Smyczek, ranked 125. Smyczek was hoping for his second win against a top twenty player, the first being Jurgen Melzer at Delray Beach last year. The little Spaniard (who really is that little) was his typically energetic self and ran out the win in four entertaining sets although Smyczek should be commended for his efforts.
Next, I gallantly shunned the Stosur match because I attended her first round exit last year and somehow felt I was an unlucky omen for her if I was there to watch. Omen or not she lost her second round match to Chinese player Jie Zheng. But as I wasn’t in attendance, Stosur’s loss is officially not my fault this time.
Over at Rod Laver arena was Djokovic, who avoided becoming the first defending champion to lose in the 2nd round since Mats Wilander back in 1989. The honour of joining that fateful club was never an issue against Ryan Harrison. Interestingly, this loss extended Harrison’s streak of losing to seeded players in grand slams to eight, although nobody could have beaten Nole on this night.
That brought me to the close of the evening where it was time to head home, charge the phone, get ready for the mega heat and tomorrow’s action – Davy and Fed, Serena and her dodgy ankle, Tomic, Murray in his tight shirt, Laura Robson and Kvitova! And, of course, time to sort out the $2 million dollars from the noble Nigerian.