PARIS: David Ferrer is used to wearing the “best of the rest” label when it comes to Spanish claycourters, but on Sunday against Rafael Nadal the 31-year-old has the chance to add his name to the pantheon of greats.
The Valencia-based player has reached the French Open final without dropping a set, and on Friday produced a ruthless display of power and accuracy to torment French hope Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, taking him down 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2..
It was a magnificent performance to end a sequence of five defeats in his five previous grand slam semifinals, yet once again Ferrer was left in the shade by Nadal’s extraordinary five-set semifinal thriller over Novak Djokovic.
For many that match was “le final” in all but name, but Nadal has too much respect for Ferrer – a player who shares his work ethic – to relax as he aims to become the first man to win the same grand slam tournament eight times.
“He didn’t lose a set during the whole tournament, so he’s a player that brings you to the limit,” 11-times major winner Nadal – who was an unknown 15-year-old when Ferrer began his professional career in 2000 – told reporters on Saturday.
Ferrer won his first claycourt clash with Nadal in 2004. Since then he has lost 16 in a row on the surface.
Ferrer, the third-oldest debut grand slam finalist, often talks reverentially about Nadal, and is happy to be mentioned in the same conversation.
Camaraderie will be interrupted on Sunday, though, as Ferrer attempts to capitalise on what might be his one and only chance of joining the grand slam winners’ club.
“It’s the opportunity of my life to be in the final,” Ferrer, who has managed it in his 42nd grand slam tournament, said. “Defeating Rafa is very difficult on any surface; it’s even worse on clay. But once again, I’m going to try to play a beautiful match.” (Reuters)