David Ferrer all set to hunt down Rafael Nadal in the semis – Tennis News
Two of the best clay-court tennis players, the world number two Rafael Nadal and the sixth ranked David Ferrer, are about to face each other yet another time in the semi-final round of the Open French Open. The two Spaniards will
face off at the Stade Roland Garros on Friday’s eve, with the winner getting a title shot in the final of the Grand Slam event.
Ferrer has been in supreme form throughout the mega event and is extremely confident for hunting down the second seed King of Clay on his favourite surface. The sixth seed Spaniard rides a 4-15 record in the head-to-head series
against the belligerent world number two and has suffered defeats a the hands of Nadal in 11 of the last 12 encounters. The last time he outplayed Nadal was in the quarter-final round of the 2011 Australian Open and has last four matches on the trot after
that victory.
Despite of such a huge trail in the head-to-head record and his inferior rank to Nadal, Ferrer seems extremely hopeful of outperforming the best player of tennis on clay courts. Called ‘the Bulldozer’ due to his persistent style
of playing, Ferrer outplayed the world number four, Andy Murray of Great Britain, in the quarter-final round on Wednesday to book a date with Nadal in the final-four. Lukas Lacko, Benoit Paire, Mikhail Youzhny and Marcel Granollers were the other victims of
Ferrer in this year’s edition of French Open.
Nadal and Ferrer have faced each other at Roland Garros on just one prior occurrence and it was the King of Clay who prevailed over her compatriot. 30-year-old Ferrer certainly lacks the fitness and agility as compared to Nadal,
who uses his limitless resilience as his primary weapon against his opponents. Albeit such hard facts and past record against the world number two, the sixth seed Spaniard is very confident for his Friday’s semi-final clash.
"Yes, Rafa is always difficult to play. Even more so on clay," he said about his match against Nadal. "But as I said and I will say again - I will try and play a beautiful match, my best tennis. I have great ambitions, and I'm
quite certain this is going to be a very physical match."
Ferrer recently suffered a loss at the hands of Nadal at the Rome Master.
"In Rome it was different, because I had opportunities to win a set, but he played extremely well," he said. I think you can win a set against Rafa, but there is a difference between winning a set and winning a match. Winning a
match against Rafa is almost impossible. He is in such good shape."
No matter who wins the semi-final brawl, it is sure to be a nail-biter.
Tags: