David Ferrer outlasts Ryan Harrison as play continues on Day 5 – Wimbledon Championships 2011
Spaniard number two, David Ferrer struggled against American Ryan Harrison in a five set thriller to move into the third round after play continued on Friday, Day 5 at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships in London, England.
Ferrer took a little over three hours to secure a 6-7(6), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory against the new and upcoming American.
The first set, which started on Thursday, progressed on an even footing. Matching blow for blow with one break point conversion each and similar unforced errors and winners, both pros gave each other a tough time keeping the scoreboard
ticking on even terms, eventually forcing the set into a tiebreaker.
Even in the tiebreaker neither player would let up with the score tied for the first twelve points. It was only a long shot from Ferrer that gave Harrison the lucky break as he clinched the tiebreaker 8-6 with a powerful ace.
Trailing the set score, Ferrer was far from out. Bouncing back in the second set, Ferrer came out firing as he reeled off five straight games at 1-1 to clinch a breadstick victory and levelling the set score at one set each. Although
the seventh seed hit only 50% on his first serve he managed to win a perfect 100 percent on both his first and second serve. Hitting nine winners and three aces Ferrer converted three breakpoint opportunities to his advantage as he brought the set score on
even terms.
However, the Spaniard lost his footing in the third set, as a double fault cost him a breakpoint giving Harrison an edge. Capitalising on this single break of service, Harrison was able to clinch a 6-4 win and go one up once again.
Once more bouncing back, Ferrer came out firing in the fourth set as he converted a single break point to his advantage to lead the set 4-2. However, play was called off by the chair umpire at this point due to bad light.
Continuing his dominance on Friday, a rested Ferrer rushed to a 6-3 win to once more level the set score.
Maintaining his form in the decider, Ferrer clinched an early break as he led the final set 3-1. Capitalising on his lead, Ferrer soon served out the set at 5-2 to seal the five set thriller and ensure his survival at the event.
Ferrer moves on ahead to play Slovak qualifier Karol Beck. Beck ousted Ferrer’s compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to move on ahead at the event.
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