David Ferrer topples Olivier Rochus in opening round – Valencia Open 2012
Top seed, David Ferrer, got the better of the Belgian contender, Olivier Rochus, in straight sets at his home soil tournament in Valencia, Spain. He jolted down a 7-5, 7-5 victory against the 31-year-old to power into the second round at the Valencia Open
2012, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 500 series event taking place from 20th to 28th October.
The world number five, Ferrer displayed top notch skills to outclass Rochus for the sixth straight time. He improved to a 7-2 lifetime in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head Series against the Belgian veteran and progressed into the second round at this indoor hard
court event.
Ferrer, who is playing his first tournament since pulling out from the China Open with stomach virus, made a powerful entry at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. He drew the first blood in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Despite losing his following
two serves, the Spaniard remained focused and recovered in the eighth game. He held his remaining serves with poise and availed another break chance in the last game, eventually sealing the opener by winning seven games to five.
The 30-year-old was underplayed in the fifth game of the following set, eventually failing at 2-4. However, he found his rhythm after that and not only snatched his break back in the 10th game but got the breakthrough in the last game, eventually
clicking the set with a 7-5 success.
The Spanish veteran clobbered a lower first serve share of 48 per cent in contrast with his rival’s 53 per cent but impressively marked 28 out of 38 points on it. He also struck seven aces and spilled an equal amount of double faults as compared to the Belgian.
Ferrer ruled throughout the match and finished it with 87 points.
After earning the spotlight in two hours and 14 minutes, Ferrer set up a date with his compatriot, Albert Ramos, in the round of 16. Ramos triumphed over the American qualifier, Rajeev Ram, in straight sets to advance. He cashed three out of 13 break chances
to formulate a 6-3, 6-3 success.
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