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Ferrer proved capable of dealing with the 6’10 Isner service
David Ferrer produced a master-class in dealing with big serving, as he ended the hopes of the last American in the Men’s draw of the Australian Open, John Isner by breaking once in each set for a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win. Ferrer broke early in the first and second, before breaking in the penultimate game of the third for the victory.
Ferrer managed the first break of the Isner serve in the tournament, as the big American’s serve faltered in the opener. Ferrer was returning a number of serves early, and was rewarded with the break in game three. Despite sealing the set, there was a shift in momentum as Isner forced three break points in the final two Ferrer service games, but was unable to convert any of them.
Isner showed his intent by winning a remarkable thirty shot rally in Ferrer’s first second set set service game, playing a beautiful drop-shot for fifteen-love. Despite reaching deuce, and Ferrer struggling with his delivery, Isner was still unable to break. The big relief for Isner was that his serve was finally starting to earn a lot more free points compared to the opening set. Isner got into trouble in game five, but a superb running forehand off a Ferrer smash at fifteen-thirty helped Isner hold. Ferrer would break in Isner’s next service game to love, a return at the feet on advancing Isner handing a commanding lead to the Spaniard. Ferrer would hold the rest of the way, closing out to fifteen on the back of an Isner unforced error.
Ferrer again proved to be the force in the third set. The Isner challenge had faded after failing to break early in the second set, and had evaporated completely with the loss of the second. He still proved hard to break though, as he held five times through the third set. Ferrer latched onto a number of errors at five-all though, and a double-fault from Isner saw the Spaniard serve for the match.
Ferrer sealed the win with a backhand winner down the line, and makes it into the quarter-finals without the loss of a set.
Isner had a number of chances despite only forcing three break points. Isner made seventy-five percent of his first serves, but did not earn as many free points from it as he might normally expect. Ferrer really struggled with his service throughout, but Isner helped him by committing too many errors off make-able second serves. Ferrer made considerable inroads into many Isner service games and was rewarded with a break in each set.
Ferrer: ” The most important is that I am in quarter-final playing very well… I want to enjoy this moment… feeling good, the most important is that I enjoy playing tennis in this court…. thanks a lot to all the people for the support. I am still playing tennis and I have the passion for that“.
Ferrer will now face the winner of the match between Bernard Tomic and Andy Murray. Ferrer lead the head-to-head with Tomic, but trails Murray significantly, with the Briton leading 12-6.