Seeds tumble in Auckland as Ferrer limps out

WELLINGTON: Top seed John Isner crashed out of the Auckland Classic while a calf injury dashed four-time champion David Ferrer’s hopes of a fairytale final appearance in New Zealand.

Isner was sent packing after fellow American Taylor Fritz held his nerve in two tie-breaks to win 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5), while compatriot Tennys Sandgren brushed aside third seed Marco Cecchinato of Italy 6-3, 6-3.

Second seed Fabio Fognini narrowly avoided the same fate, with German’s Peter Gojowczyk taking the match to a third-set tie-break before the Italian prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5).

The draw – already weakened by the withdrawal of defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut, Tomas Berdych and Gael Monfils – now has only two seeds remaining in Fognini and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain.

Carreno Busta had an armchair ride into the quarter-finals when Ferrer succumbed to injury just three games into their match.

Former world No. 3 Ferrer has retired from Grand Slams but is making a few appearances at his favourite ATP tournaments in 2019, with Auckland first on the list.

The 36-year-old looked sharp against his fellow Spaniard and they were one game apiece before Ferrer twisted his leg while hitting a cross-court forehand.

He tried to continue with strapping on his calf, managing to win a point on serve before reluctantly calling it quits.

Ferrer received a standing ovation at the tournament he described as “a second home” and said he was sorry his dream of winning a record fifth title was over.

“Of course it’s disappointing but don’t worry because I’ve had very good memories here, I’m very proud” he told the crowd.

“Remember, I won the last point,” he joked before limping off centre court.

Isner, a two-time champion in Auckland, received a bye into the second round because of his seeding and looked rusty as his booming serve failed to dominate Fritz.

“It feels great. John’s beat me twice before and I really wanted to get the win on him” Fritz said after downing the world No. 10.

“We had a lot of close points... I like to thing one of the strengths of my game is playing under pressure and handling those big moments well.”