Heineken Open secures Ferrer and Verdasco for 2012

Written by: Global Chick on 3rd November 2011

Heineken Open secures Ferrer and Verdasco for 2012

Fernando Verdasco of Spain serves to Gael Monfils of France during their match at the gala tournament Tennis Classics in Papp Laszlo Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, 29 October 2011. HUNGARY OUT EPA/IMRE FOLDI |

Defending Champion David Ferrer and World No. 24 Fernando Verdasco will compete at the Heineken Open in Auckland next year. The two Spanish stars will get ready for their Australian Open campaigns in Auckland. The tournament starts on January 9, 2012 and finishes on January 14, two days before the Melbourne Grand Slam commences.

David Ferrer is currently ranked at World No. 5. Apart from winning the Heineken Open this year the Spanish number two ranked player won the ATP Tour tournament in Acapulco at the beginning of the year. He was also the runner up in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Bastad and Shanghai. The Spanish star has won a total of eleven ATP Tour career singles titles. David has qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London starting in November.

His best Grand Slam result for 2011came at the Australian Open where Ferrer reached the semi-final where he lost in four sets to Brit Andy Murray. Ferrer took out Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinal in straight sets.

Fernando Verdasco is currently ranked No. 24 in the world. This Spanish player will add some glamour to the Auckland event. Being very easy on the eye this left-hander possesses a mean forehand. The Madrid resident has been without titles this year but has been the finalist in San Jose, Estoril and Gstaad. This Adidas wearing player was ranked No. 7 back in 2009. This is Verdasco’s first visit to Auckland.

The Heineken Open is the biggest men’s professional sporting event in New Zealand. The event has been going since 1956 and has seen winners like Karel Novacek, Thomas Enqvist, Jonas Bjorkman, Marcelo Rios, Gustavo Kuerten and Juan Martin Del Potro.

2011 was a very successful year for the Spaniards in Auckland. Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo won the doubles final against Johan Brunstrom of Sweden and Stephen Huss of Australia in straight sets.

Heineken Open Tournament Director Richard Palmer said, “David said he would return and has honoured that promise. As his ranking show, he has had a great year and cemented his place as one of the world’s top players. Auckland seems to help him kick off his year in a positive fashion.”

Palmer also added, “The Spaniards seem to like coming to Auckland, and it is great to finally get Fernando to play in the Heineken Open. Not only is he a fresh face but he is also a very accomplished player as his record testifies. Over the years, many people have asked if it was possible to get him here.”

Topics: David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco