Ferrer Powers into Shanghai Semifinals
© Getty Images Unheralded Spaniard David Ferrer extended his unbeaten run at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai on Saturday, clipping Andy Roddick 6-1, 6-3 to charge into the final, where he will play the winner of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Ferrer is attempting to become the first player to win the title on debut since countryman Alex Corretja in 1998.
Roddick, who received treatment for lower back stiffness during the match, served just four aces and won just 57 percent of points on his first serve and 47 percent of points on his second serve.
The trouble started early for the American. Ferrer broke Roddick for 2-1 on his third break chance of the third game. Roddick's hopes of clawing back into the set faded soon after when, at 1-3, 30/40he kicked a second serve wide to the Ferrer backhand. The Spaniard offered up a juicy midcourt forehand for Roddick, who had a scurrying Ferrer wrong-footed as he attempted to hit a winner behind him. But Roddick dumped the routine forehand into the net to slip behind 1-4. The American then called the ATP trainer to the court to work on his lower back.
Federer Powers Past Nadal
Ferrer has been a revelation this tournament, powering through his round-robin group unbeaten (he was the only player to do so) and winning three of his four matches in straight sets, including a 6-1, 6-1 trouncing of Richard Gasquet and a 6-4, 6-4 win over Novak Djokovic.
Ferrer, who also defeated Roddick in their most recent meeting in Cincinnati, has compiled his best season by winning a career-high three ATP titles and advancing to his first semifinal at a Grand Slam (US Open). He has won a career-best 58 matches and only lost four times in opening round in 24 tournaments during year.
Ferrer and Nadal were the only players on the ATP circuit to post at least 20 match wins on both clay and hard courts. He surpassed $1 million in a season for first time in his career.
Ferrer said: "Today I played very good. Maybe the key was I return very well all the match. It is my first final in Shanghai and I'm very happy for that. Now I want to enjoy this moment.
"I am playing with a lot of confidence. I am playing very well. But I don't think I am the favorite player to win the tournament."
Roddick said: "I played a bad first set. The second set I thought I actually hit the ball pretty well. That's about as well as I've hit a ball and lost in a set in a while.
"If anything, I thought I could have served a little bit better this tournament, which is kind of backwards from normal. You know, from the baseline I felt okay. I'm glad I've gotten four matches in against the top guys heading into the Davis Cup final after having been off for a while."
On the treatment he received on his lower back, Roddick said: "There was some stiffness. Normally you're able to work your way into a match a little bit. With David, he comes out, makes balls right away. We had some extended rallies. It was really stiff. My range of motion was really bad. fter I got some stuff on it, it loosened up pretty well for the second set. It's not sharp pain. It's nothing that should affect me come the final of Davis Cup."
Friday: Davydenko Knocks Out Roddick
Friday: Federer Restores Order in Shanghai
Thursday: Ferrer, Nadal Reach Semifinals
Wednesday: Roddick First into Semifinals
Wednesday: Federer Claims First Win
Tuesday: Ferrer Outguns Nadal to Go 2-0
Tuesday: Gasquet Ends Djokovic's Tennis Masters Cup Hopes
Monday: Roddick Rolls Russian; Impressive Start
Monday: Gonzalez Snaps Losing Streak to Federer
Sunday: Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Shanghai Opener
Sunday: Ferrer Makes in a Spanish Clean Sweep on Day 1
|
