Oz Open could be Ferrer’s big chance
DAVID FERRERhas long sat outside the all-dominating “Big Four” of men’s tennis, but after a stand-out 2012 season and signs of weakness amongst the quartet, the consistent Spaniard might finally crack the powerful cabal.
For the best part of eight years the men’s game has been ruled by Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray emerging from the Swiss and Spaniard’s shadow in the last two.
Sitting just outside has been the consistent Ferrer whose relative anonymity allowed him to slip into New Zealand with little fanfare this week, even though the world number five was the major drawcard at the Auckland Open as the two- time defending champion and seeking a record-equalling fourth title.
Since re-entering the top-10 in October 2010, the lowest Ferrer has been ranked is eighth and he has won nine of his 18 career titles.
Seven of those titles came in 2012 when he enjoyed his best season on the ATP tour and he arguably cracked a psychological barrier when he won the Paris Masters – a tournament that sits just below the Grand Slams in terms of importance.
While critics have argued the 30year-old has maintained his ranking points by playing tournaments off the beaten track, away from events that attract too many players of his calibre, last year’s performances, however, may have ended those suggestions.
Apart from his seven titles he also reached one other final and made at least the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments, the first time he achieved the feat since he turned professional in 2000.
In the Grand Slams he lost to Djokovic twice, eventual champion Nadal at Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Murray on the grass in London.
While there is a gap between the “Big Four” and the rest of the men’s tour, that has narrowed considerably over the past two years with Federer no longer invincible and Nadal’s knees proving to be a lingering problem that will undoubtedly affect his court speed and agility when he does return to the game. Djokovic and Murray are also prone to patches of erratic play, and Ferrer, as one of the fittest and most consistent baseline players on tour should use the confidence from 2012 to again go deep into the Australian Open. – Reuters NOVAK DJOKOVIC will grapple with his growing rivalry with Andy Murray and the enduring powers of Roger Federer as he bids for the first Australian Open hat-trick of the professional era.
Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal through illness has robbed Melbourne Park of a repeat of last year’s epic final, when Djokovic finally tamed the Spaniard at 1:40 am after a record, 5hr 53min final which left him with bleeding toes.
But the Serbian world number one will face a stiff challenge from the newly assertive Murray, fresh from his first Grand Slam win and keen to avenge his final and semi-final defeats to Djokovic in Melbourne in 2011 and 2012.
Also pressing hard will be Federer, holder of an unmatched 17 Grand Slams and still hungry for more even though, at the age of 31, he is conceding six years to his younger rivals.
Murray, the world number three, was thrashed by Djokovic in the 2011 Australian Open decider, and narrowly lost out in their thrilling five-set semi-final last year.
But the Scot then beat Djokovic on his way to London Olympics gold, and again in the US Open final as he became Britain’s first male Grand Slam singles winner since Fred Perry in 1936.
Despite Nadal’s absence because of a stomach virus, after a knee injury ruled him out for much of last year, the competing claims of the top three men leave the year’s opening Grand Slam unpredictable.
“I have high ambitions for myself, but I am absolutely aware it is going to be very difficult, because today’s men’s tennis is very competitive,” Djokovic said.
“Andy Murray winning his first Grand Slam title last year has also got him to this group of players that are serious candidates to win the Australian Open.”
Djokovic tuned up for the Open playing for Serbia in the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth, and he said he relished the battles to come at Mel- bourne Park, where he has won three of his five Grand Slam titles.
No one has won more than two consecutive Australian Open titles since Roy Emerson completed his run of five in a row in 1967, two years before the advent of professional tennis.
“It is a huge challenge. I love the Australian Open, that court brings out the best memories of my career, the great support I always get there, the night sessions, the day sessions, it is always interesting to play,” Djokovic said.
“Every Grand Slam brings something special to it.
“The Australian Open is by far my most successful one so I am really looking forward to it. I like the hard court, I like the conditions and I am going to go for the trophy.”
Murray, coached by Ivan Lendl and relaxed and confident after breaking his Grand Slam jinx, comes into the Open on the back of his 25th career singles title at the Brisbane International.
“I hope that the Australian Open goes a bit better for me than it did last year,” said the two-time finalist.
“I played some very good tennis there. I lost a set in the first round, and then won the next four matches in straight sets, until the (semifinal) match with Novak which I played very well.”
Murray, who survived some uncom- Andy Murray has finally broken his Grand Slam jinx and is now a serious contender for the title at the Australian Open fortable moments to beat Grigor Dimitrov in the Brisbane final, acknowledged he has developed a greater mental edge following his successes in the last half of 2012.
“It’s a change of mentality really, and that doesn’t happen in a few weeks. It’s taken time to believe that that’s the right thing to do, to be aggressive.”
Meanwhile four-time winner Federer, keen to extend his long stay at the top of men’s tennis, has opted out of playing a warm-up tournament. The Swiss has not reached the Melbourne final since his last win in 2010.
“I want to try and make this last as long as I can... I don’t want to fizzle out,” the world number two said. “I hope to keep on playing for many years, because I love it. I love the pressure of playing with a new generation coming up.
“It’s part of the puzzle that makes me motivated, trying to play against the likes of Novak, Andy and Rafa.” – Sapa-AFP