2013/06/19

Ferrer Wins Third Valencia Open

(October 28, 2012) No. 5 David Ferrrer held off unseeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 3-6 6-4 to win the Valencia Open for the third time in his career on Sunday. It’s the Spaniard’s sixth title in 2012.

“It’s always very difficult to play at home,” Ferrer said. I knew it would be more difficult to win the title again. He’s a very talented opponent. I played aggressively and it went well for me. I want to dedicate the victory to Juan Carlos Ferrero on his farewell. He has given me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a player.”

“I couldn’t take advantage of my opportunities in the third set,” Dolgopolov said. “He took his chances and broke my serve with new balls. I’m happy to have reached the final, but maybe today I played worse. I enjoyed the tournament a lot.”

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Ferrer Holds Off Dodig To Gain Valencia Final

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER, 2012

Singles – Semi-finals
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) d [Q] I Dodig (CRO) 64 67(5) 61
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d J Melzer (AUT) 64 62

Doubles – Semi-finals
[2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) d [WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP) 62 76(3)
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) 63 46 10-7

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 28 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 4:00 pm
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) vs A Dolgopolov (UKR)
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs [2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA)

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Ferrer Advances, Cilic Upset in Valencia

RESULTS – FRIDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2012

Singles – Quarter-finals
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) d [6] N Almagro (ESP) 63 75
[Q] I Dodig (CRO) d [7] M Cilic (CRO) 62 76(6)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d M Granollers (ESP) 60 62
J Melzer (AUT) d D Goffin (BEL) 76(7) 64

Doubles – Quarter-finals
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 63 62
[WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP) d J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) 63 67(2) 10-6

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA)

Not Before 4:00 PM
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [Q] I Dodig (CRO)

Not Before 8:00 PM
A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs J Melzer (AUT)
[WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP) vs [2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA)

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Ferrer and Almagro To Face Off in Valencia Quarterfinal

RESULTS – THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER, 2012

Singles – Second Round
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) d A Ramos (ESP) 64 62
[6] N Almagro (ESP) d S Querrey (USA) 64 67(4) 60
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d G Muller (LUX) 64 64
M Granollers (ESP) d G Simon (FRA) 67(4) 63 62
J Melzer (AUT) d X Malisse (BEL) 75 62

Doubles – Quarter-finals
[2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) d M Klizan (SVK) / M Mertinak (SVK) 64 62
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) d M Cilic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA) 76(0) 26 10-7
SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
D Goffin (BEL) vs J Melzer (AUT)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs M Granollers (ESP)
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [6] N Almagro (ESP)

Not Before 8:00 PM
[Q] I Dodig (CRO) vs [7] M Cilic (CRO)
[WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP) vs J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK)

PISTA 1 start 6:00 pm
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – After suitable rest

 

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Isner and Raonic Knocked out of Valencia

Two upsets on Wednesday at the Valencia Open – John Isner fell to David Goffin 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4, while Gilles Muller knocked out eighth seed Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (1).

Isner is 4-5 since winning the Winston-Salem Open.

RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER, 2012

Singles – Second Round
D Goffin (BEL) d [5] J Isner (USA) 76(2) 46 64
[7] M Cilic (CRO) d F Verdasco (ESP) 61 64
[Q] I Dodig (CRO) d [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) 61 36 62

Singles – First Round
G Muller (LUX) d [8] M Raonic (CAN) 75 76(1)
M Granollers (ESP) d [Q] J Hajek (CZE) 75 64

Doubles – First Round
[2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) d P Andujar (ESP) / F Lopez (ESP) 64 61
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) d [4] C Fleming (GBR) / R Hutchins (GBR) 46 64 10-5
[WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP) d C Berlocq (ARG) / A Dolgopolov (UKR) 36 63 10-7
M Klizan (SVK) / M Mertinak (SVK) d J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) 64 64

SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
G Muller (LUX) vs A Dolgopolov (UKR)
M Granollers (ESP) vs G Simon (FRA)
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) vs A Ramos (ESP)

Not Before 8:00 PM
S Querrey (USA) vs [6] N Almagro (ESP)
M Klizan (SVK) / M Mertinak (SVK) vs [2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA)

PISTA 1 start 1:00 pm
J Melzer (AUT) vs X Malisse (BEL)

Not Before 4:00 PM
M Cilic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA)

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Ferrero Ends Career with Loss to Almagro in Valencia

Juan Carlos Ferrero called it a career on Tuesday, losing in his last match to Spanish countryman Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-3 in the first round at the Valencia Open.

Ferrero is a former No. 1, 2003 French Open winner, 2002 French Open finalist and 2003 US Open runner-up. He won 16 tournaments in his ATP World Tour career and was a part of two winning Davis Cup teams for Spain in 200o and 2004. Ferrero had to deal with many injuries throughout his career.

“Thank you so much for having come to watch my final match and for all the support you gave me during my career,” said Ferrero at the end of his match against Almagro.

“It’s been a long time since I enjoyed myself so much on a tennis court. It was an honor to finish my career playing you, I think you are a great champion,” he said to Almagro.

“I simply want to thank everyone for all their support, not just this year but throughout all the years I have played here, always been a very special tournament for me and this year even more so.”

Ferrero will be joining Almagro’s coaching team on a part-time basis next year.

 

RESULTS – TUESDAY, OCTOBER23 , 2012

Singles – First Round
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) d [Q] O Rochus (BEL) 75 75
X Malisse (BEL) d [2] J Tsonga (FRA) 31 ret. (low back pain)
G Simon (FRA) d [3] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 54 ret. (right shoulder)
[6] N Almagro (ESP) d [WC] J Ferrero (ESP) 75 63
S Querrey (USA) d F Lopez (ESP) 63 76(4)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d [LL] F Volandri (ITA) 63 76(5)
J Melzer (AUT) d C Berlocq (ARG) 63 63

Doubles – First Round
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) 64 62
M Cilic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA) d [3] I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) 76(3) 75
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [WC] R Bautista-Agut (ESP) / D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 36 63 10-8
SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
M Granollers (ESP) vs [Q] J Hajek (CZE)
[8] M Raonic (CAN) vs G Muller (LUX)
C Berlocq (ARG) / A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP)
Not Before 6:00 PM
F Verdasco (ESP) vs [7] M Cilic (CRO)
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) vs [Q] I Dodig (CRO)

PISTA 1 start 1:00 pm
[5] J Isner (USA) vs D Goffin (BEL)
P Andujar (ESP) / F Lopez (ESP) vs [2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA)
J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) vs M Klizan (SVK) / M Mertinak (SVK)
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) vs [4] C Fleming (GBR) / R Hutchins (GBR)

 

 

RESULTS – TUESDAY, OCTOBER23 , 2012

Singles – First Round
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) d [Q] O Rochus (BEL) 75 75
X Malisse (BEL) d [2] J Tsonga (FRA) 31 ret. (low back pain)
G Simon (FRA) d [3] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 54 ret. (right shoulder)
[6] N Almagro (ESP) d [WC] J Ferrero (ESP) 75 63
S Querrey (USA) d F Lopez (ESP) 63 76(4)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d [LL] F Volandri (ITA) 63 76(5)
J Melzer (AUT) d C Berlocq (ARG) 63 63

Doubles – First Round
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) 64 62
M Cilic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA) d [3] I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) 76(3) 75
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [WC] R Bautista-Agut (ESP) / D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 36 63 10-8
SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
M Granollers (ESP) vs [Q] J Hajek (CZE)
[8] M Raonic (CAN) vs G Muller (LUX)
C Berlocq (ARG) / A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [WC] D Ferrer (ESP) / J Ferrero (ESP)
Not Before 6:00 PM
F Verdasco (ESP) vs [7] M Cilic (CRO)
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) vs [Q] I Dodig (CRO)

PISTA 1 start 1:00 pm
[5] J Isner (USA) vs D Goffin (BEL)
P Andujar (ESP) / F Lopez (ESP) vs [2] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA)
J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) vs M Klizan (SVK) / M Mertinak (SVK)
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) vs [4] C Fleming (GBR) / R Hutchins (GBR)

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Hewitt Stuns Monaco in Valencia

Wildcard Lleyton Hewitt topped fourth seed Juan Monaco 6-3, 6-4 to open the Valencia Open on Monday. The win broke a 10-match winless streak against top 10 opponents.

Hewitt gets Ivan Dodig next.

Juan Carlos Ferrero is playing his final tournament before calling it a career. He’ll play fellow Spaniard and friend Nicolas Almagro on Tuesday.

 

RESULTS – MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 2012

Singles – First Round
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) d [4] J Monaco (ARG) 63 64
[5] J Isner (USA) d F Fognini (ITA) 63 67(4) 75
A Ramos (ESP) d [Q] R Ram (USA) 63 63
[Q] I Dodig (CRO) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) 62 76(6)
F Verdasco (ESP) d [WC] T Robredo (ESP) 63 64
D Goffin (BEL) d P Andujar (ESP) 62 62

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, 23 OCTOBER, 2012

AGORA start 1:00 pm
S Querrey (USA) vs F Lopez (ESP)
[1] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [Q] O Rochus (BEL)
[WC] J Ferrero (ESP) vs [6] N Almagro (ESP)
Not Before 5:00 PM
X Malisse (BEL) vs [2] J Tsonga (FRA)
G Simon (FRA) vs [3] J Tipsarevic (SRB)

PISTA 1 start 1:00 pm
A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs F Volandri (ITA)
[1] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER)
J Melzer (AUT) vs C Berlocq (ARG)
[WC] R Bautista-Agut (ESP) / D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP)
[3] I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) vs M Cilic (CRO) / A Sa (BRA)

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Pospisil Takes a Firm Step Forward in Valencia

By Tumaini Carayol

VALENCIA, Spain – Of all the juniors in 2011, it has been Milos Raonic who has made the most progress since the beginning of the year and solidified his place as a future star. But Raonic isn’t the only young player to make strides in 2011, and not even the only player from his country to do so. This year has also been the coming-out year for another Canadian born in 1990 called Vasek Pospisil.

 

Age and country is where the similarities between Raonic and Pospisil end, however. While Raonic shot up the rankings out of seemingly nowhere, Pospisil has been a steadily improving work in progress.

 

For most of the year, Pospisil could be found on the challenger circuit, spending most of his time traveling to obscure venues and winning numerous matches for minimal points and prize money. His breakthrough has come in bits and pieces – first when he defeated Chela in Toronto before giving Federer a tight two-setter, then when he qualified for the US Open and emphatically won his first ever Slam main draw, and then when he single-handedly led Canada into the Davis Cup World Group.

 

This week in Valencia has proven to be yet another bold step forward. After qualifying for an ATP 500 event for the first time, the Canadian found some majestic form en-route to a nail biting tight three set victory over 23rd-ranked John Isner on Monday.

 

The victory in itself was impressive, but the manner in which he took the match was even more so. From the very first point, the 21 year-old looked to take the ball on, and it set the tone for the rest of the match, with his forehand dominating proceedings from start to finish. There were moments in the match when his form wavered – but he always found a way through those patches.

 

He eventually ended up in a third-set tiebreak with Isner, and though most tend to immediately concede defeat when faced with a tiebreak with the 6’ 10” American, Pospisil simply committed himself even more, blasting four winners in the first five points before eventually finding himself up three match points. Once again, the Canadian wavered, but also once again, he refused to let it affect him, holding tight onto his serve before eventually finding an Isner second serve and punishing it to advance into the second round.

 

Will Pospisil ever be a world-beating top player? Maybe; maybe not. At this point it is unlikely, but still hard to tell. However, considering how much hype and time is given to the likes of Ryan Harrison, Bernard Tomic and Grigor Dimitrov – all talented but temperamental, inconsistent and with the mental strength of a brick – it’s just nice to see a young player with talent and his head firmly screwed on.

 

After all, in tennis that’s all you need.

Tumaini Carayol is covering the Valencia Open  for Tennis Panorama News. He is a  contributing writer at On The Baseline, and writes about professional tennis at his site Foot Fault. Follow his Valencia coverage here and on our twitter account @TennisNewsTPN. Follow his personal twitter at @FootFault_.

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