Defending Champ Ferrer kicks off in Valencia – Tsonga’s big fight

Written by: Global Chick on 2nd November 2011

Defending Champ Ferrer kicks off in Valencia - Tsonga’s big fight

Spanish player David Ferrer celebrates his victory in the round of 32 match of the tennis ATP Valencia Open against compatriot Fernando Verdasco at Agora building, in Valencia, eastern Spain, on 01 November 2011. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING |

Defending Champion David Ferrer won his first round in straight sets against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 20 minutes at the Valencia Open 500 on Tuesday.

The World No. 5 has already qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London in November. Ferrer won the Valencia title in 2008 and 2010. Ferrer will now face Canadian Vasek Pospisil after he came back from match point down and took out American John Isner on Monday.

Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero moved into the second round after a win over Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 7-6 (2). Ferrero will face the winner of Alex Bogomolov Jr. and fellow Spanish player Feliciano Lopez.

The number three seed Gael Monfils cruised past Spain’s Albert Montanes in straight sets 6-3 6-1. Monfils is in need of as many ranking points as possible over the next two weeks to have a chance to qualify for London.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the No. 2 seed probably didn’t expect to get into a three set match with Spanish wildcard Javier Marti. Tsonga fought for over two hours to take out the Spanish teenager 4-6 7-5 6-2. The Frenchman is also looking to collect more ranking points this week for a place at the end-of-year event. The world number seven will face American Sam Querrey who defeated Latvian Enersts Gulbis in straight sets.

Big serving Kevin Anderson is also through winning 6-1 6-4 against Slovakian qualifier Martin Klizan. The number 7 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov suffered a first round defeat against Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-4.

Horia Tecau of Romania and Robert Lindstedt of Sweden have qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals doubles event in London. Unfortunately, their luck ran out in the first round in Valencia when they lost to two big servers Kevin Anderson and John Isner.

Six doubles teams are already qualified for London. Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi are at number seven on the YTD rankings and are the next team chasing a spot in this prestigious event. The Indo/Pak Express won their first round in Valencia on Monday against Nicolas Almagro and Pablo Andujar.

Topics: Atp, Ferrer, Tsonga, Valencia Open