2011 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament: Jarkko Nieminen defeats David Ferrer
In a surprising turn of events, the 2011 Australian Open semi-finalist, David Ferrer was ousted from the 2011 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Tuesday. Seeded
third in the event, Ferrer met Finn Jarkko Nieminen for their opening clash.
This was the pair’s second meeting this year. They had earlier met in the first round of the Australian Open three weeks ago. Ferrer had then done away with the Finn in
four sets forcing the latter out from the event and going one up in the head-to-head score. Returning the favour in Rotterdam today, Nieminen enjoyed a straight sets victory against the Spaniard, leveling the head-to-head score and making Ferrer the first
seed casualty of the event.
In a match that lasted almost 75-minutes, Nieminen served only one ace to Ferrer’s seven, though cashing in on the Spaniard’s five double faults he was able to clinch a
victory for himself. The Finn successfully converted four of ten break opportunities and lost only 25 of 66 points on service.
Nieminen broke service early in the opener to rush into a 3-0 lead. Landing a meagre 47% on first serve compared to Ferrer’s 74%, it came as much surprise to everyone when
Nieminen scored 82% off it as opposed to Ferrer’s disappointing winning percentage of 59%. Saving three of four break points, the Finn was able to clinch a 6-3 victory for himself.
The next set saw some resistance from the Spaniard as he clinched an early lead of 3-1. However, the Finn bounced back late in the set and allowing a loss of only one more
game, he secured a 6-4 victory for himself.
This is only Nieminen’s second victory in the year so far, though its his first over a top 10 player. Maybe Ferrer is Nieminen’s first step into lost glory. Nieminen a former
top 15 player looks to return to that spot and maybe go higher and it seems he set himself on the right path today.
Nieminen will next play World Number 24th Serb, Viktor Troicki later in the week.
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