Barcelona: QF- Ferrer vs Nalbandian

[Zaragoza]

Ferrer leads Nalbandian 4-1 in head to head but their last meeting was 2 years ago. Ferrer leads 3-0 on clay.

2005 ATP Masters Series Miami
FL, U.S.A. Hard R32 Ferrer 7-6(0) 6-1

2005 Australian Open
Australia Hard R128 Nalbandian 7-6(1) 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-4

2004 Hamburg AMS
Germany Clay R64 Ferrer 6-2 6-3

2003 Sopot
Sopot, Poland Clay R16 Ferrer 6-4 4-6 6-3

2002 Umag
Croatia Clay R32 Ferrer 6-4 6-3

 

[Andres]

I saw how Nalbandian is playing this week, and how Ferrer is playing. Under THESE conditions, I'll give the edge to David (LOL!)

Nalbandian in 2.

 

[Tchocky]

I'm leaning towards Nalbandian in 3 sets.

 

[diegaa]

nevermind......

 

[jhhachamp]

I saw how Nalbandian is playing this week, and how Ferrer is playing. Under THESE conditions, I'll give the edge to David (LOL!)

Nalbandian in 2.

Didn't Ferrer win 6-0 6-0 in his last match? Based on how they are playing I would say Ferrer.

 

[oscar_2424]

ferrer in 3 sets.

 

[ilovecarlos]

I'm always wrong...but I'm saying Ferrer in 3...and NO...I'm not copying you Oscar my sweet

 

[Andres]

Didn't Ferrer win 6-0 6-0 in his last match? Based on how they are playing I would say Ferrer.

Against who? Goldstein!

 

[oscar_2424]

I'm always wrong...but I'm saying Ferrer in 3...and NO...I'm not copying you Oscar my sweet

it;s ok bette, it's ok

 

[illkhiboy]

I originally thought Nalbandian would win in a tough match but I had no idea of their head-to-head. Definite edge to Ferrer, though a focused Nalbandian (last spring) would clinch it.

 

[grimpi]

I Nalby wins, we will have finally a Nadal-Nalbandian match

 

[Andres]

Ferrer serves 4-4, 1st set.
Ace! 30-0

 

[illkhiboy]

Andres, if you're watching this on TV can you please talk about how the match is playing out in terms of quality and/or strategy?

 

[Andres]

5-5, Nalbandian held at 15.
It's basically, a big backhand to backhand, forehand to forehand exchange. it's usually Nalbandian who goes for the DTL, specially on the backhand. They're both basically placing the ball in the corners all the time.

Nalbandian is the one with the edge on the ground game, while Ferrer is more emphatic on his serve.

 

[Andres]

Ferrer holds at 15. Nalbandian serves to take it to the TB.
15-15

 

[Andres]

Tie break time!

 

[illkhiboy]

5-5, Nalbandian held at 15.
It's basically, a big backhand to backhand, forehand to forehand exchange. it's usually Nalbandian who goes for the DTL, specially on the backhand. They're both basically placing the ball in the corners all the time.

Nalbandian is the one with the edge on the ground game, while Ferrer is more emphatic on his serve.

Thanks.

Ferrer when his serve is on can be pretty dangerous. I can't remember any Nalbandian matches where his serve won him a lot of points, except for the 1st set and a half against Federer at the French last year. He was serving very well in that match.

 

[Andres]

Lucky netcord! Ferrer gets a minibreak. 4-2 and one more serve for Nalbandian

4-3, Ferrer to serve

 

[Andres]

He "minibreaks" back! 4 all.

Nice serve outwide! Ferrer 5-4

David (N) has two serves

 

[Andres]

Terrible dropshot by Nalbandian... bad decision, long and high dropshot.
Ferrer has a set point

 

[illkhiboy]

Damn, c'mon David! I hope he breaks Nadal's streak tommorow!

 

[Andres]

6-5, Ferrer. He stopped the point cause he thought the serve was out, but it wasn't :?

 

[Andres]

Ferrer takes the serve with an emphatic serve and forehand point.

 

[illkhiboy]

Oh well, Nalbandian can still fight back and Ferrer will probably choke anyway.

 

[oscar_2424]

Ferrer up 3/1.

 

[illkhiboy]

Nalbandian could slip really low in the rankings pretty soon. He has Semi-Final poins to defend at both Rome and the French. And I don't think he's attempting to defend his Estoril title next week. That's around 800 points on the line.

 

[Andres]

3-2, Ferrer to serve

 

[Andres]

5-2, Ferrer to serve...
Not looking good, though...

 

[Andres]

40-0, triple match point...

 

[Andres]

Oook.... Nalbandian saves the first one... 40-15

 

[Andres]

Two forehand errors in a row... 40-30

 

[illkhiboy]

If Nalbandian can win the next 2 points he should win the match. Simple right? Can he..?

 

[Andres]

Ferrer wins 7-6, 6-2

 

[oscar_2424]

very solid performance by ferrer, Nalbanidan never got a chance.

 

[Zaragoza]

I expected a better fight from Nalbandian after the 1st set tie-break. He looked pretty good in the 1st set but had a mental breakdown after losing the tie-break 7-5.

 

[Andres]

I expected a better fight from Nalbandian after the 1st set tie-break. He looked pretty good in the 1st set but had a mental breakdown after losing the tie-break 7-5.

I agree. That was a lousy 2nd set for DN

 

[ilovecarlos]

WooHoo!!! Ferrer in 2!!!!!! Good result for David!

 

[Morrissey]

Ferrer becomes # 71 for Rafa 5-7, 1-6. Still hasn't lost a set this clay season. He may lose his first one against Willy.