David Ferrer to start his next season at the Heineken Open – Tennis News
It has been confirmed that the world number five, David Ferrer, will kick start his 2013 season at the Heineken Open in Auckland. This ATP World Tour 250 outdoor hard court event will be held from November 7 to 12.
Ferrer, who is a joint title leader with Roger Federer is 2012, will be the defending champion at this event. He also started this season at the Heineken Open and defeated Belgium’s Olivier Rochus in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to claim
the title.
The Spaniard is a three time former champion at this ATP World Tour 250 event and will try to win the fourth one next year to equal Australian great, Roy Emerson’s, record.
Confirming Ferrer’s participation at the event, Heineken Open’s tournament director, Karl Budge, said, “David has now won three Heineken Opens – equalling Kiwi great Onny Parun. If he can also claim next year’s title he will emulate
the feats of Australian legend Roy Emerson in the 1960s. That will be a special day in the tournament’s history.”
After winning in Auckland in this season, Ferrer went on to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open. Then the Spaniard grabbed titles at the Copa Claro in Argentina and Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco. The right-hander
also did well during the clay court season and made a perfect finish by reaching the semi-finals of the French Open, stunning the then world number four, Andy Murray, in the quarters.
Budge also announced that the former world number seven, Mardy Fish, will be taking part at the Heineken Open next year. Fish will be featuring at this event after a gap of six years, losing to the eventual winner, Ferrer, in the
semi-finals in 2007.
He said about Fish, "He's an all court player with a strong net game, which will certainly add variety to an event normally dominated by the baseliners."
Budge added, "I'm really confident that we're going to have a lot of competition for David and Mardy and we should be making some announcements over the coming weeks."
Inclusion of Ferrer and Fish have provided a relief to the organizers, after some of the top players decided to stay away from the event.
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