Ferrero back from brink in Madrid
Two match points saved
World number one Juan Carlos Ferrero saved two match-points to claw his way back from 2-5 down in the final set and beat South Africa's Wayne Ferreira 6-3 2-6 7-6 in the second round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.
Ferrero, top seed at the 2.45 million euros indoor tournament, took just 32 minutes to take the first set but Ferreira raised his game to take control of the match from 2-2 in the second.
The unseeded Ferreira produced a series of immense forehand winners to take seven consecutive games and move 3-0 up in the third.
Ferreira improved that to 5-2 but Ferrero then took an injury break to have the strapping on an ankle removed and that delay seemed to affect the South African's rhythm.
Ferrero, roared on by the sort of support more akin to a Davis Cup tie, held his own serve and then capitalised as Ferreira's nerve failed him.
Ferrero saved the first of two match-points from 40-15 and then watched with relief as Ferreira double-faulted on the second.
Ferreira then put a back hand long after Ferrero's neat volley had forced a break-point and suddenly the Spaniard was back in the match.
Ferrero twice held his own serve at 4-5 and 5-6 to stay in contention and took a 5-3 lead in the tie-break when his opponent netted a simple volley.
At 5-4 up, Ferrero won his two service points to clinch the tie-break 7-4 and complete a memorable comeback.
Two match points saved
World number one Juan Carlos Ferrero saved two match-points to claw his way back from 2-5 down in the final set and beat South Africa's Wayne Ferreira 6-3 2-6 7-6 in the second round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.
Ferrero, top seed at the 2.45 million euros indoor tournament, took just 32 minutes to take the first set but Ferreira raised his game to take control of the match from 2-2 in the second.
The unseeded Ferreira produced a series of immense forehand winners to take seven consecutive games and move 3-0 up in the third.
Ferreira improved that to 5-2 but Ferrero then took an injury break to have the strapping on an ankle removed and that delay seemed to affect the South African's rhythm.
Ferrero, roared on by the sort of support more akin to a Davis Cup tie, held his own serve and then capitalised as Ferreira's nerve failed him.
Ferrero saved the first of two match-points from 40-15 and then watched with relief as Ferreira double-faulted on the second.
Ferreira then put a back hand long after Ferrero's neat volley had forced a break-point and suddenly the Spaniard was back in the match.
Ferrero twice held his own serve at 4-5 and 5-6 to stay in contention and took a 5-3 lead in the tie-break when his opponent netted a simple volley.
At 5-4 up, Ferrero won his two service points to clinch the tie-break 7-4 and complete a memorable comeback.
