Tursunov stuns David Ferrer, Nadal wins
25 April 2013 1:14 AM GMT
Top seed David Ferrer summed up his error-strewn defeat by qualifier Dmitry Tursunov as ‘one of the worst I have played’ after falling at the first hurdle at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.
The Spaniard lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to the Russian but seven-time champion Rafael Nadal eased past Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 6-2.
Four-time finalist Ferrer had pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters event last week with a thigh muscle injury picked up when losing in the Miami final to Andy Murray last month.
‘It was a game to forget, one of the worst I have played,’ a downcast Ferrer told reporters after his defeat in blustery conditions. ‘I wasn’t good in tennis terms, mentally, or with my attitude. It affects me personally because my opportunities to win here are getting fewer as I get older,’ said the 31-year-old.
Nadal, 26, had white strapping under his left knee as he suffered one break of serve in the first set, before really getting the upper hand. He needed six match points on Berlocq’s final service game before breaking to secure his 35th straight triumph. ‘Carlos is having a good season, playing with Argentina in the Davis Cup has given him a lot of confidence,’ Nadal said.
The Spaniard lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 to the Russian but seven-time champion Rafael Nadal eased past Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 6-2.
Four-time finalist Ferrer had pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters event last week with a thigh muscle injury picked up when losing in the Miami final to Andy Murray last month.
‘It was a game to forget, one of the worst I have played,’ a downcast Ferrer told reporters after his defeat in blustery conditions. ‘I wasn’t good in tennis terms, mentally, or with my attitude. It affects me personally because my opportunities to win here are getting fewer as I get older,’ said the 31-year-old.
Nadal, 26, had white strapping under his left knee as he suffered one break of serve in the first set, before really getting the upper hand. He needed six match points on Berlocq’s final service game before breaking to secure his 35th straight triumph. ‘Carlos is having a good season, playing with Argentina in the Davis Cup has given him a lot of confidence,’ Nadal said.
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