VALENCIA
After their meeting in Vienna’s final last Sunday, David Ferrer and Andy Murray continue their pursuit of valuable points for the ATP Race to London on Day 4 at the Valencia Open 500.
Valencia Open 500
The Spanish top-seed, who started his bid for a fourth title crown in Valencia with a straight set victory over Andreas Seppi, went up against his compatriot Fernando Verdasco for the 17th time. Ferrer emerged victorious from all of the last five meetings and was also in command in today’s encounter. The world number five advanced to the quarterfinal after 67 minutes winning 6-3, 6-2 without facing a break point.
Fernando Verdasco
“It wasn’t an easy win today but I played very well and consistent without a lot of mistakes. My serve was pretty good and I’m happy with my game today. It was important to win my first match against Seppi. It was difficult as the conditions are different compared to last week in Vienna but of course it is great to play in front of your home crowd with your family and friends courtside,” Ferrer told afterwards.
David Ferrer
The Spanish top-seed will face Tomaz Bellucci next who received a walkover when his opponent Roberto Bautista-Agut wasn’t able to compete in the final match of the day due to abdominal problems.
Vienna champion Andy Murray, who returned to Valencia for the first time since 2010, downed Jürgen Melzer in the opening round 6-3, 6-3 and took on Fabio Fognini for the fourth time. The British wild card lost the final meeting between the two in the Davis Cup earlier this year but was in total control of Thursday’s match. Murray didn’t face one single break point and served out after 72 minutes winning 6-2, 6-4. It was also the Scot’s 100th career win indoors.
Murray vs Fognini
Andy Murray
Fabio Fognini
Amelie Mauresmo was happy
“The surface is much slower here compared to Vienna last week. The balls are much slower, there are more rallies and you have to do a bit of re-adjustment to Vienna,” Murray told. “The quality of the tournament has improved. The hospitality for the players has improved a lot since the first year as well as the facilities and I enjoy being here again,” the Scot said about his comeback to Valencia. “Over the last few months, I have started to get my consistency back and I feel better. It’s normally a good sign that I’m able to win matches, in which I haven’t been playing well. Nonetheless, I think that I can definitely keep improving,” Murray, who returned to tenth position in the ATP World Ranking this week after a six-week stint outside the top 10, explained.
Andy Murray
Pablo Andújar, who captured his first Top 10 win in more than two years with a straight set victory over second-seeded Tomas Berdych in the opening round continued his streak beating Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-2 in 70 minutes.
In the only singles match played outside the Agora Centre Court, Jeremy Chardy advances to his seventh quarterfinal of the season beating Alexandr Dolgopolov 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 after two hours and two minutes. The French will play Pablo Carreňo-Busta next.
