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12/1/11 3:58 PM | Ricky Dimon
The second singles rubber on Day 1 of the Davis Cup final will pit David Ferrer against Juan Martin Del Potro. It is likely a must-win situation for Del Potro and Argentina.
David Ferrer and Juan Martin Del Potro will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers and for the first time this season when they do battle in the Davis Cup final's second singles rubber on Friday.
Interestingly, this will be their first-ever matchup on clay. The overall head-to-head series is tied up at two wins apiece, with Del Potro prevailing most recently 6-3, 6-2 at the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open.
That encounter came when Del Potro was on his way to breaking into the sport's elite, but now it is Ferrer who has the edge in current form. The fifth-ranked Spaniard registers at No. 5 in the world and he is a stellar 58-19 for his 2011 campaign after reaching the semis of the World Tour Finals.
"I am tired," Ferrer said after his strong showing in London. "I am tired, sure. I want to stop, but I can't because I have the Davis Cup. But I'm really tired."
Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, missed almost all of 2010 due to a wrist injury and he has slowly been making his way back this season. The 11th-ranked Argentine disappointed during the summer hard-court swing, but he captured titles in Delray Beach and Estoril en route to a respectable 48-16 record.
Ferrer's fatigue will give a well-rested Del Potro a chance in what has to be considered a must-win rubber for Argentina. However, Ferrer has home-court advantage in Seville and clay is obviously the surface on which he wants to contest this one. He will also have had five full days off when he takes the court against Del Potro.
Look for Ferrer to survive in five sets.
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Watching him play, I think it's only a matter of time before Del Potro's ranked #1
ts38 , 12/2/11 8:13 PM
How's that so ts? All the top four guys are quicker than him, having more varieties than him, better stamina than him, better returns too. Three of the current top four are in his age group and therefore may not go away before him. Well maybe Rafa may retire before him, still there's Nole and Murray, both having healthy H2H against him. Delpo's problem is always his movement, and also his stamina. He simply can't match the top few guys in these areas.
A tired Ferrer already gives him so much troubles on clay, and he's relatively fresh in comparison. Unless Delpo can outlast the likes of Nole and Murray, or they are on an early decline due to more wear and tear because of their own very successes in the tours, or maybe some unfortunate injuries happening, I don't see Delpo beating them to become no.1.
luckystar , 12/2/11 8:39 PM
2 sets all.
Vamos Ferrer
nadline , 12/2/11 9:18 PM
Looks like if all else fail, Ferrer will simply outlast Delpo.
luckystar , 12/2/11 9:24 PM
Ricky was on the money about the match going five sets. I always wonder with Delpo if he really is injured. He does seem to be tired, but out of nowhere he can come up with big shots.
Nativenewyorker , 12/2/11 9:36 PM
Delpo is knackered.
nadline , 12/2/11 9:42 PM
LOL. And Ferrer gets broken back.
cherylmurray , 12/2/11 9:53 PM
Ferrer doesn't want to let Delpo get back into this thing. Even a tired Delpo is dangerous.
Nativenewyorker , 12/2/11 9:57 PM
That was an amazing performance by David.
Vamos Spain
nadline , 12/2/11 10:03 PM
H2H 3-2 to DavidF.
mojo , 12/2/11 10:10 PM
Congrats to Ferrer and congrats to Spain for the win. As expected from Ferrer, he just won't give up and chases after and returns as many balls as possible. I think both are tired during and of course after the match. I wonder who will play in Sunday's second rubber besides Rafa ( whom i think is more or less confirmed).
Good effort from both, can't fault them for trying so hard for almost five hours. Delpo looks rather upset, poor soul. I really thought he has the match in four sets, credit to Ferrer for fighting so hard and win in five. Well done!
luckystar , 12/2/11 10:13 PM
What an exciting match and what an absolute star David Ferrer is. Congrats to Rafa and David and vamos Spain for the doubles tomorrow. I am exhausted after watching that match. I shall enjoy the Rafa match now as I had to record it.
schatz , 12/2/11 10:40 PM
Congratulations to Ferrer for a hard fought and well deserved win. He didn't give up and came back from behind to get this win. If anyone ever thought that it didn't matter to play DC for your country, all you had to do is look at Delpo sobbing into his towel on the sidelines after the match. He was still crying when he walked off court. He was trying to hang in there in that fifth set, but Ferrer was too tough. So nice to see Ferrer playing the best tennis of his career!
Spain 2-0! Now it's on to doubles!
Nativenewyorker , 12/2/11 11:23 PM
Watching him play, I think it's only a matter of time before Del Potro's ranked #1
ts38 , 12/2/11 8:13 PM
You cannot be serious!
nadline , 12/3/11 9:34 AM
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So JMDP pulled out of Valencia and Paris to be fully rested going into Davis Cup. Yikes! I hope this is another case of David and Goliath. Go Spain, Go David!
Maya , 12/1/11 6:01 PM