2011 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell: Rafael Nadal vs. David Ferrer – Final Preview
Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer defeated their semi-final opponents in straight sets to make it to the title match of this year’s 2011 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, a prestigious clay tournament held in the
Real Club de Tenis. World Number 1 Rafael Nadal defeated Croatian tennis player Ivan Dodig in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 while David Ferrer undid compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-4.
The two Spaniards will engage in battle in the title match of the tournament tomorrow, marking their second consecutive ATP final meeting. Just days ago, World Number 1 Rafael Nadal undid David Ferrer in straight sets 6-4, 7-5
at the 2011 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo to win his seventh consecutive title at the Monte Carlo Masters. This time, he’s on the hunt for his sixth title at Barcelona.
Rafael Nadal managed to win his 500th match with his defeat of Dodig, and commented on his performance, saying, “I’ve had many victories. I’m still young, but I’ve been around a few years. Today I played worse than yesterday,
but despite of that I won and that’s very positive. But Ivan had a great tournament, a start of a spectacular season.”
David Ferrer also had much to say about his victory, telling the press, “it was a tough win physically. It was only two sets but they were hard-fought. I was lucky to play my best in the important moments. I’m very happy to be
in the final, this is a very important tournament for me.”
Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer have played sixteen times over the course of their respective careers, and Nadal has won eight of their meetings so far. Ferrer has only defeated him once on clay, although Nadal has recorded nine
victories against the Spaniard. However, Ferrer did manage a victory over Nadal at the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year, although the Spaniard was injured at that time.
Ferrer has only recorded one win against Nadal on clay, back in 2004. The two met at the Mercedes Cup, when Nadal had only just joined the tour and was only 17 years old. David Ferrer has produced good results so far this year,
though, defeating players like Jurgen Melzer and Milos Raonic, as well as taking his first title of the year at the Acapulco event. He does, however, seem apprehensive about the match due to a calf injury. The player says, “I had to play well to get past Nico.
I'm hoping to still feel fully fit for the final. The calf felt OK but I could feel it as the match progressed. But I can recover for Sunday."
The Spanish player may be able to challenge his compatriot to a tie-breaker this time round, but he will probably lose the title to Rafael Nadal.
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