Spain’s David Ferrer put in an inspired performance to upset second-seeded compatriot Rafael Nadal 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-2 in a US Open fourth-round encounter that finished well into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ferrer’s stunning victory over the French Open champion earned him a quarter-final showdown against 20th seed Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina.
Relying on a devastating forehand that produced 22 winners, Ferrer won the third-set tiebreaker 7-4 and roared to victory in the final set to end the three-hour, 28-minute slugfest at 1.50am local time on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The 25-year-old Ferrer, who had lost his last four matches against Nadal, clinched victory on his second match point when the world number two’s backhand lob sailed past the baseline.
Nadal, who has been hampered by a knee injury and was treated on court for a finger problem, battled gamely, but the 21-year-old had no answer for Ferrer’s heavy forehand and crisp all-round play in the tension-packed match.
”Tomorrow, I don’t want to run more,” Ferrer said in an on-court interview.
”Now I am very tired. To beat Rafa, I have to run a lot. I’m sorry for that, for my friend, for my partner, Rafa.”
Ferrer, who beat Argentine David Nalbandian in five sets in the third round, blasted 48 winners in all as he matched his best previous grand slam result — a quarterfinals appearance at the 2005 French Open.
Earliest exit
”He’s a very good player,” Nadal told reporters after making his earliest exit from a grand slam this year.
”He’s having an unbelievable season. He’s one of the best players in the world right now.”
The three-times French Open champion preferred to credit Ferrer, who won in Auckland and Bastad this year, rather than detail how his physical condition might have affected him.
”I don’t want to speak about my body right now. It’s an excuse. I don’t want any excuse. He played well and he beat me.”
Nadal hit 33 winners himself in the pulsating match but found Ferrer able to retrieve his fierce groundstrokes.
”He’s very fast,” Nadal said.
”For me it’s not a surprise. Sure it’s disappointing for me but that’s tennis. That’s the sport. I’m having a very good season,” added the Spaniard, who reached the quarters at the Australian Open, the Wimbledon final and has won six singles titles.
”It’s disappointing for me because I can’t play 100% because of the problem with the knees.
”But I do the best that I can.” – Reuters