Quarterfinals
Mercedes Cup, Stuttgart, Germany
July 16, 2024

Pre-Match

From 14.30 we will report the next match to you on Centre Court. Spaniards David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal will meet.

Nadal played extremely well yesterday when he clearly beat high seeded Argentine Chela. Ferrer also played convincingly yesterday, beating the French qualifier Richard Gasquet - even though Gasquet was not 100% fit and had to have treatment during the match.

The players walk on court accompanied by music, so that the match can start in a few minutes.

First Set

Ferrer starts the first set on his serve.

Long service game, then a short stop and it's 1-0 for Ferrer, who lives in Valencia.

Neither one has any problems with the serve so far. So in the first set everything is on serve and Ferrer leads 2-1

Again, neither player can put the pressure on at the opponents' serve. Two easily held service games and it reads 3-2 on the scoreline.

But now it's 0-30 on Nadal's serve! And there they are, the first breakpoints of the match.

Two errors on Ferrer's side bring on the deuce. But Ferrer gets a second chance and uses it: 4-2 Ferrer. Until now, he is the one in the driver's seat.

But then it turns around and now it's 0-30 on Ferrer's serve.

Both players play hard and fast - and that in spite of the summery temperature. Ferrer still the more sure, Nadal commits too many errors. Ferrers storms ahead: 5-2

Nadal can come back to 3-5 but then must face Ferrer serving for the set.

There is the famous big point: setpoint Ferrer or breakpoint Nadal?!

On the line so it's setpoint! And there he unleashes his forehand grenade, absolutely impossible to reach for Nadal! Ferrer wins the first set, after 37 minutes, and one can only say: deservedly so.

Second Set

Watch out Nadal! 0-30.... And there, right in the beginning of the second set, breakpoints for Ferrer. And with again an unforced error, Nadal hands Ferrer the first break. He now has to play catch up from the beginning.

It is not looking good for the Mallorcan. Ferrer dominates the game. Will he be able to turn it around? At the moment, it is very doubtful....

Now he really has to watch out or this thing is over and done... 15-40! Nadal cannot find the game he displayed so well yesterday, or in other words, Ferrer plays really well here! 3-0 Ferrer.

Is this the turn around? Well, maybe not just yet, but there is a shimmer of hope for Nadal, he manages to get one break back and is now only trailing 1-3 in the second set.

Nadal seems to have found his game back - he holds serve to 15 and comes back another game to 2-3 Will Ferrer hold or are we seeing the beginnings of a turn around here?

He is holding up, and how! His game is very powerful and he makes a lot more winners than his opponent.

The best rally gives Nadal a deuce - wit a loooot of luck! Ball rolls over the net.

Ferrer puts the pressure on, so much so that Nadal has has trouble staying alive, but he's fighting....

Mini matchpoint Ferrer. Breakpoint for a 5-2 lead. But saved with a backhand winner.

That was close for 18 y/o Nadal. After having saved the matchpoint he can hold serve and comes back to 3-4

After a point that Nadal SHOULD have made but doesn't, Ferrer holds serve and leads 5-3.

Nadal does get back to 4-5 by holding his own serve, but Ferrer will serve for the match next.

0-30 is it still possible for Nadal? But then some fantastic Ferrer points and it's 30-30. BIG POINT!

Sensational! A loc by Ferrer... that should do it! But Nadal chooses rightly and risks everything! Breakpoint!

And again a sensational winner by Nadal and he manages the breakl! He jumps in the air and cries out: "Vamos"with joy. He evens out: it's 5-5.

These last points gave Nadal the donfidence he needed: he holds serve to love and is now even in the lead in the second set; 6-5 Nadal!

Now it looks like a tiebreak is in the making.... 40 love, game. It's a real thriller now...

With now two minibreaks for Nadal the players change ends at 5-1. The third set that nobody expected, is about to start.....

And now with 5 setpoints for Nadal it is more than just probable, but it's still only 6-3 for Nadal and Ferrer serves.

Third Set

But still: with 7-3 Nadal clinches the second set tiebreak, and makes it one set all. And that after having trailed two breaks in this set!

Easy volley - error Ferrer and so breakpoint Nadal. But with another one of those forehands he saves it. Deuce.

Mmmm, these two are a joy to watch! The crowd is getting treated to clay court tennis at its best And Nadal is able to continue the way he did in the second set and breaks: 1-0

Nadal now in the driver's seat - hard to believe, really, just think back some thirty minutes. But that's sport. Nadal leads 2-0

But Ferrer is not going to lay down and get beaten. He holds serve without a problem and now only trails 1-2 in the third set.

Both players could hold serve. But Nadal still has the one break advantage, and it leaves him still in the lead 3-2

But for how long? 0-30! And now even 0-40. And to love Nadal hands in his serve, and David Ferrer is back in the match. 3-3 in the third set.

But only just back in it, and he faces another two breakpoints. Ferrer hits a forehand almost in the Grandstand and so Nadal has again the break advantage.

Ferrer has great problems holding serve but fights and holds. At 5-4 in the third set Nadal can serve it out. But then we have seen that before in this match.....

But now it seems the server can make it. After 2 hours 17 minutes Nadal has three matchpoints.

Or has he? Ferrer saves all three. Respect. Deuce.

Unbelievable! What a match - now Ferrer even has a chance to break back! And he does! This match has it all.... Can Nadal regroup?

Now it's Ferrer in the lead again - 6-5. Nadal under pressure on his own serve all the time.

Two unforced errors by Nadal and so Ferrer has 2 matchpoints! One left.....

....but he doesn't make that one either. Deuce.

But then, still! David Ferrer wins! What a thriller - the match of not taking the chances. And at the end Ferrer took one of them and he is the happy winner after 2 hours 26 minutes. He beats his compatriot Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-7 (3) and 7-5.