Injury denies favourite Ferrer fitting farewell
AUCKLAND: Spaniard David Ferrer’s final appearance in Auckland has ended in heartbreaking fashion.
Ferrer (36) injured his right calf with the score at 11 in his secondround clash against Pablo CarrenoBusta, and despite his best efforts, he could not continue, drawing to a close an Auckland career in which he won four titles.
He deserved so much better. Ferrer, much loved by Kiwi fans, had picked the ASB Classic as just one of six tournaments on his 2019 farewell tour.
He made 14 appearances in Auckland.
Having beaten Robin Haase 62, 61 in the first round, and with the draw opening up, there was hope among the Auckland faithful that their man could go on one last dream run.
Instead, it ended in disaster. At 150 in the third game, Ferrer hurt his leg attempting to swivel on a forehand at the net. After a medical timeout he attempted to push on, but one point later he raised his hand, ending his tournament, and his career in Auckland.
Ferrer began his Auckland adventure in 2003 with a win over Spain’s Alberto Martin, and 16 years later, his run came to an end at the hands of a compatriot.
The crowd favourite hobbled off to a standing ovation as an apologetic CarrenoBusta embraced him at the net, but the victor seemed just as gloomy as the fans.
‘‘My last tournament — it’s not good, but there’s no worries. I really have had good memories here,’’ Ferrer said.
‘‘I’m very proud with my career and for me, my best trophies are your support. I really appreciate everything that you did for me.
‘‘I remember when I came in here in 2003, and now, having played my last match, my last point, I am a different person,’’ he said
‘‘It was a priority for me to play here. I won here four times, the people here were very polite to me and my team — it’s like my second home. I hope we come back here with my family, but remember, I won the last point,’’ he laughed.
After 32 wins at Stanley St, Ferrer left behind his trade mark headband on centre court as he departed for one last time — the final gift from a man who has given so much to the tournament.
Top seed John Isner also left the classic yesterday. The world No 10 was upset by fellow American Taylor Fritz 76(3), 76(5) in a bigserving battle.
It means that five of the eight seeds have already gone including third seed Marco Cecchinato, 2018 Australian Open semifinalist Hyeon Chung and Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov.
Isner served a staggering 26 aces, but Fritz (21), who broke into the world top 50 in November, had the edge on the big points.
Kiwi No 1 Rubin Statham is also out, losing 62 61 to German world No 58 JanLennard Struff.
It was always going to be a big ask for Statham to repeat his firstround heroics, where he stunned world No 25 and 2018 Australian Open semifinalist Hyeon Chung in straight sets.
The powerful Struff overcame a nervous start with some big serves, and soon broke Statham’s resistance.
From 22, Struff reeled off four straight games to win the first set, and continued to boom down aces — 12 in total — in the second set as he clinched a comfortable victory in just 63 minutes.
New Zealand still has three representatives left in the doubles draw: Artem Sitak, Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus will all play in the quarterfinals today.
Results (prefix denotes seeding).—
Men, round 2: JanLennard Struff (GER) bt
Rubin Statham (NZL) 62, 61; 4Pablo Carreno (ESP) bt David Ferrer (ESP) 11 ret; Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt Joao Sousa (POR) 76(5), 64; Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA) 64, 64; 2Fabio Fognini (ITA) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 62, 36, 76(5); Leonardo Mayer (ARG) bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 57, 76(5), 63; Taylor Fritz (USA) bt 1John Isner (USA) 76(3), 76(5); Tennys Sandgren (USA) bt 3Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 63, 63.