Ferrer Fires into SFs, Helps Rafa, Too
© Getty Images Underdog Spaniard David Ferrer continues to steal the headlines from his more celebrated peers at Tennis Masters Cup. On Thursday he crushed young Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-1 to power into the Shanghai semifinals with a perfect 3-0 record.
Ferrer, who at the beginning of the year had just two ATP titles to his name, is now just two wins away from capturing one of the biggest prizes in tennis. He is looking to become the first player to win the circuit finale on debut since countryman Alex Corretja in 1998.
Ferrer began Masters Cup by notching his second consecutive win against World No. 2 Nadal in a pulsating three-setter and followed up with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over No. 3 Novak Djokovic.
And he was simply devastating in dropping just two games against Gasquet in Thursday's 59-minute rout. Ferrer hit 18 winners to five and won more than double the number of points (54 to 25) as he limited Gasquet to a winning percentage of just 33 percent on his first serve.
Ferrer, who once described himself as "the worst Top 100 player in history" (read full story in DEUCE Magazine), is already at a career-high No. 6 in the ATP 2007 Race and could finish as high as No. 4, depending on other results.
“Of course, I (am) not the favorite,” Ferrer said. “Rafa is No. 2 of the world, Djokovic is No. 3. But the tennis every week have a surprise, no?”
Nadal earned his second consecutive semifinal berth in as many appearances in Shanghai courtesy of an exciting 6-4, 6-4 victory over Djokovic.
Aware that it was important for him to win in straight sets to secure a slot in the semifinals, Nadal looked ready for battle and pumped his fist fiercely with every exceptional point won.
“I play very, very good match – the best match here, and one of the best matches of the indoor season,” said Nadal, the reigning three-time Roland Garros champion. “I play very, very complete match.”
Heading into the encounter, Djokovic knew he was out of contention for a coveted spot in the semifinals. But that did not prevent the Serbian from playing his heart out during the one hour, 44 minute match.
“I wasn’t trying to play for anybody,” said Djokovic, who reached his first career major final at the U.S. Open and won five titles this year. “I knew before the match I didn’t have any chances for the semifinals. But, of course, I always try to win whenever I get to the court.”
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
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