FERRER OUTLASTS KARLOVIC TO REACH DOHA FINAL, FACES BERDYCH

Written by: on 9th January 2015
ATP Open Tennis tournament in Doha
FERRER OUTLASTS KARLOVIC TO REACH DOHA FINAL, FACES BERDYCH

epa04552476 David Ferrer of Spain celebrates winning his semi final match against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia at the Qatar ExxonMobil ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2015. EPA/-  |

( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/01/1/Doha-Friday-Ferrer-Berdych.aspx )

 

David Ferrer survived an ace onslaught from Ivo Karlovic to clinch a berth in his 47th tour-level final at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Friday.

 

The fourth-seeded Spaniard overcame 30 aces and 67 winners for the victory in three tie-break sets, 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(4). Ferrer reached the Doha final for the first time in five appearances, having previously advanced as far as the semi-finals in 2013 (l. to Davydenko). He will seek his first ATP World Tour title since hoisting the Buenos Aires trophy last February, when he faces World No. 7 Tomas Berdych on Saturday.

 

“This preseason I worked hard,” said Ferrer. “I had one month of work with my new coach (Francisco Fogues), and I think we improved some details in my tennis, like the slice and my serve. Now I want to rest and to have a massage with my physio and be ready for tomorrow.”

David Ferrer of Spain returns the ball to Ivo Karlovic of Croatia during their semi final match at the Qatar ExxonMobil ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrer, who fired 47 winners and hit just 18 unforced errors, was steady throughout the two-hour and 32-minute affair. With his back against the wall, the 32 year old held his ground in the second set tie-break, claiming three straight points from 4-5 down to force a decider.

 

Neither player could muster a break point in the third set, despite Karlovic pressing for the break at 4-4. Ferrer would snatch the initiative during the deciding tie-break, clipping a mid-court backhand slice that curled away from a charging Karlovic and smacked the tramline. The Croat would eventually save a match point with a second serve ace, but was unable to complete the comeback, succumbing when Ferrer converted a stunning backhand pass on the run for the win.

Ivo Karlovic of Croatia returns the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their semi final match at the Qatar ExxonMobil ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the loss, Karlovic reached another aces milestone in passing Andy Roddick for second place on the all-time list (9,092). Earlier in the week, the 35 year old became just the third player to reach the 9,000 aces plateau, joining Roddick and all-time leader Goran Ivanisevic.

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