David Ferrer stuns Andy Murray to advance to the last four – French Open 2012
Spain’s David Ferrer, seeded sixth at the event, reached the last four-stage for the first time at Roland Garros, as he upset fourth seed, Andy Murray of Great Britain, in four sets 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2 in the quarter-final of
the French Open in Paris on Wednesday.
The Spaniard needed three hours and 45 minutes to win the equally contested encounter.
Ferrer grabbed the initial breakthrough, as he struck in the fourth game and consolidated on it to go up 4-1. Murray hit back in the ninth to reduce the trail to 4-5 but lost his serve again in the following game to go down 4-6.
In the second set, both players broke each other twice in the first eight games, levelling the proceedings at 4-4. The rest of the set went with serves to take it to 6-6 and force a tie-breaker. Murray raced to a 5-1 lead and capitalised
on it to triumph 7-6(3).
Ferrer drew the initial blood in the third set, snatching a break in the third game and holding his next serve to attain a 3-1 advantage. However, Murray struck back immediately and even out the score at 3-3. It was an all Ferrer
show afterwards, as he captured three games in a row to grab it 6-3.
The Spaniard and Brit made a shaky start in the fourth set, as they traded blows in the opening two games to square off the score at 1-1. Ferrer regained his momentum later on, winning five of the six subsequent ones and sealing
it 6-2.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, Ferrer did not play too attackingly, as he hit just 32 winners compared to 49 by Murray. Though, he also committed merely 32 unforced errors in response to 59 by the Brit.
A jubilant Ferrer said, after the match, "My first time in semi-final in Roland Garros, so I feel good. It was a very tough match, and I'm very happy. Maybe it was in important moments I played better than him. I played very good
with my forehand."
On the other hand, Murray stated, "I thought I played some good tennis tonight. I just didn't convert. I mean, I had a lot of chances in the last couple of sets on his serve.”
Ferrer will take on King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, in the semi-finals. Nadal thrashed Nicolas Almagro, in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Tags: