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Ferrero struggles before downing Gaudio
Monte Carlo (Monaco), Apr 18: Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero struggled with heat and his forehand but still beat Argentina`s Gaston Gaudio 3-6 7-5 6-2 yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Monte Carlo (Monaco), Apr 18: Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero struggled with heat and his forehand but still beat Argentina`s Gaston Gaudio 3-6 7-5 6-2 yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
The top-seeded Ferrero was visibly exhausted after the
three-hour match under a scorching sun on center court.
Ferrero now faces countryman Alberto Martin in the quarterfinals of the USD 2.62 million tournament.
Second-seeded Carlos Moya, last year`s runner-up, advanced with a 6-2 6-4 win over countryman Tommy Robredo. He next plays France`s Julien Boutter. Gaudio, a semifinalist here in 2000, led by a set and was up 5-3, but failed to finish off Ferrero - who won four straight games to take the second set and pull level.
"I could sense he was beginning to become tense," Ferrero, 22, said, referring to Gaudio`s double fault when he was serving for the match at 5-3.
"I only started to play really well when i could get my forehand going," Ferrero said.
For most of the match, Ferrero had struggled to find a way to upset Gaudio`s rhythm. When Ferrero attempted drop shots, Gaudio answered with textbook lobs; when he attempted to pin Gaudio to the back of the court, the argentine replied with drop shots of his own.
Gaudio didn`t cope well with the pressure. He smashed his racket into the ground at the end of the second set, regularly screamed in frustration and questioned countless calls.
Bureau Report
Ferrero now faces countryman Alberto Martin in the quarterfinals of the USD 2.62 million tournament.
Second-seeded Carlos Moya, last year`s runner-up, advanced with a 6-2 6-4 win over countryman Tommy Robredo. He next plays France`s Julien Boutter. Gaudio, a semifinalist here in 2000, led by a set and was up 5-3, but failed to finish off Ferrero - who won four straight games to take the second set and pull level.
"I could sense he was beginning to become tense," Ferrero, 22, said, referring to Gaudio`s double fault when he was serving for the match at 5-3.
"I only started to play really well when i could get my forehand going," Ferrero said.
For most of the match, Ferrero had struggled to find a way to upset Gaudio`s rhythm. When Ferrero attempted drop shots, Gaudio answered with textbook lobs; when he attempted to pin Gaudio to the back of the court, the argentine replied with drop shots of his own.
Gaudio didn`t cope well with the pressure. He smashed his racket into the ground at the end of the second set, regularly screamed in frustration and questioned countless calls.
Bureau Report