Ferrero reaches Umag quarter finals

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Ferrero reaches Umag quarter finals

Former world leader Juan Carlos Ferrero has reached the Umag quarter finals after overcoming a first set deficit to local favorite Ivan Ljubicic, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to prevail in nearly two hours. Next up for the Spanish veteran is Carlos Barlocq who has made a free progress after Tommy Robredo’s abandon.

Both Ferrero and Ljubicic stole four break points from each other, but Spaniard’s 65 first serve percentage helped him to provide a consistent comeback which brought him a couple of break points in each of the last two sets. On the other side, Ljubicic had a poor 48 first serve percentage, but also a much better play on service. The crowd favorite won 70 percent of service points, compared to his opponent had could only win 48 percent in the first set, something which cost the former world number one the opener.

Anyway, Ferrero managed to come from behind and win the last two sets quite easily, breaking his opponent early in the second set for a three-game lead. Overall, the Spaniard won 61 percent of service points compared to Ljubicic’s 59 who also fired seven aces past the world number 73 who had previously beaten the world number 32 at the Roland Garros back in 2009.

Said Ferrero who is 2-3 down in the head to head series with the Croatian: “It was a strange start to the match and for sure I didn’t expect the first set to finish so quickly. The key of the match was for me to stay positive at all times during the match. I knew I had to do more to get into the match but for sure I need to start better in the matches to come.”

Ferrero will next meet Argentine Carlos Berlocq who has directly flown into the quarters after his opponent Tommy Robredo pulled out due to medical problems. On the same second half of the table, second favorite Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine has set a clash with Albert Ramos after easing past Filippo Volandri in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.

His next opponent beat Gianluca Naso of Italy 6-1, 6-3 to set his first ever meeting with the world number 26. Dolgopolov hit five aces past Colandri and conceded zero, finishing the game also with a poor 32 first serve percent and four break points. Overall, the Ukrainian won 70 percent of service points, compared to the Italian who had a 49 first serve percentage, zero break point conversions out of five tries and three double faults. He only won 49 percent on his own service.

As for Ramos, he broke Naso four times of 12 opportunities, saving all the four ones coming from the opposite side. He finished the game with a 63 first serve percentage and four aces, winning at the same time 74 points on service, compared to the unseed Italian who committed a double fault and won just 55 percent of service points.

Concerning the first half of the draw, Potito Starace has set a tough meeting with top seed Juan Ignacio Chela after edging Thiemo de Bakker in three sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. Olivier Rochus is to meet Fabio Fognini of Italy. The Belgian eased past Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-4 after breaking him twice and saving other five. Rochus won 68 percent of service points and committed a couple of double faults, compared to Stakhovsky who finished the game with a 59 first serve percentage and a 32 one on return.

His next opponent and sixth favorite Fognini created 11 break point opportunities against Machado and converted six of them. He also fired three aces and won 55 percent of service points, compared to his opponent who finished the game with five double faults and a 45 return percentage.

Marin Cilic and Robuin Haase are also expected to fight for a quarter final berth. The Croatian has been favored by a BYE in the opening term, while the Dutch follows a three-set win against Simone Vagnozzi whom he overcame 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Haase won just 54 percent of service points, but managed to break his opponent eight times of nine tries, compared to the Italian who converted just five of 18 break point opportunities.

Finally, Diego Junqueira and Andreas Seppi have set their first direct meeting of the season when both of them beat their first term opponents in two sets. Seventh favorite Seppi broke Dusan Lajovic four times, winning 65 percent of service points to get rid of the Serb 6-4, 6-2. Concerning Junqueira’s first victory, the Argentine eliminated Antonio Veic of Croatia 6-4, 7-5 after grabbing six break points out of six tries.

He also had a 73 first serve percentage and a 51 one on returning points, compared to the crowd favorite who finished the game with a poor 44 first serve percentage and only four break point conversions out of 11 chances.

Umag Prize Money and points:

Winner – 72,600 euro and 250 points ATP

Runner-up – 38,200 euro and 150 points ATP

Semi finalist – 20,700 euro and 90 points ATP

Quarter finalist – 11,800 euro and 45 points ATP

R16 – 6,940 euro and 20 points ATP

R32 – 4,120 euro and zero points

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