FERRER MAKES STRONG START; STEBE OUSTS TROICKI

Written by: Staff on 29th August 2012

FERRER MAKES STRONG START; STEBE OUSTS TROICKI

epa03373832 David Ferrer of Spain hits a return to Kevin Anderson of South Africa during their match on the third day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Courtesy of ATP: (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/35/US-Open-Wednesday-Ferrer-Makes-Strong-Start.aspx).

World No. 5 David Ferrer impressed in his opener at the US Open on Wednesday at Flushing Meadows, dismissing towering South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3). The Spaniard won 74 per cent of points on serve and broke serve three times as he claimed victory in two hours and 16 minutes.

“I feel good,” said Ferrer. “It was not an easy match with Anderson. He’s a really good player. He has a very strong first and second serve. I’m happy because I played well in my first round.”

The 30-year-old Ferrer claimed his first win since reaching the third round of the London 2012 Olympics (l. to Nishikori). He has compiled a 54-11 mark this season, highlighted by winning five ATP World Tour titles and reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals (l. to Nadal).

Ferrer, a semi-finalist in New York in 2007 (l. to Djokovic), goes onto face Dutchman Igor Sijsling, who defeated Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Seven years on from his last US Open appearance, when he beat Gaston Gaudio to reach the second round, American Brian Baker returned victorious as he dismissed Jan Hajek 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round. The 27-year-old Baker, up to a career-high World No. 70 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, hit 35 winners and saved all six break points he faced.

“I had some nerves,” confessed Baker. “I don’t think it was probably the prettiest match ever. A win is a win. I felt like when I needed to, I played well. I didn’t get broken and was probably pretty high percentage on my conversion rate. That was the difference today.

“It’s just been a blast this last year, and I hope I keep it going for several more.”

Former World No. 1 and 2001 US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt finished strongly to secure his place in the second round. The 31-year-old Australian dropped the first set, but broke serve eight times as he rallied to defeat Germany’s Tobias Kamke 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 48 minutes.

Hewitt won the first of his two Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows 11 years ago with victory over Pete Sampras.

World No. 97 Cedrik-Marcel Stebe recorded just his second Grand Slam main draw victory as he upset 29th-seeded Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The 21-year-old German, who had won just seven tour-level matches this season coming into the US Open, broke Troicki six times to prevail in two hours and 34 minutes.