COMMENTARY Ferrero eases past Arazi
All the action as Juan Carlos Ferrero beats Hicham Arazi in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Latest score: Ferrero 6-1, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) Arazi
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Third set
Ferrero 7-6 Arazi
The second point of the tie-break produces another incredible rally that sees Arazi recover after being lobbed to return to the net, only to be passed by an exhausted Ferrero. The Spaniard gets a match point when Arazi puts a forehand wide at 6-5 and clinches the match when the Moroccan nets a backhand.
Ferrero 6-6 Arazi
A couple of wild shots from Ferrero give Arazi a useful headstart in the game and, despite a double fault, he holds on to force the tie-break.
Ferrero 6-5 Arazi
Another dreadful Ferrero volley gives Arazi a break point but the Spaniard then comes up with an ace and goes on to take the game, putting huge pressure on Arazi to hold.
Ferrero 5-5 Arazi
Arazi's nerve fails as he serves for the set and some punishing groundstrokes from Ferrero force the break back to 15.
Ferrero 4-5 Arazi
Blistering winners on both the forehand and backhand take Arazi to set point but he pays the penalty for being negative and Ferrero takes advantage to hold.
Ferrero 3-5 Arazi
Another love service game from the rejuvenated Arazi leaves Ferrero serving to stay in the set - and looking out of sorts on the backhand.
Ferrero 3-4 Arazi
Ferrero makes a dive volley reminiscent of Boris Becker at 40-30 but Arazi puts a forehand into the open court to force deuce. The Spaniard then makes successive backhand errors to give Arazi a break of serve.
Ferrero 3-3 Arazi
Arazi makes hard work of the game despite leading 40-15, finally coming through on the first deuce with a big serve.
Ferrero 3-2 Arazi
A dramatic game sees Ferrero save two break points - the second with an ace - before clinching the game in a stunning rally that includes two net cords with a backhand winner. He then gives Arazi a friendly slap on the back at the changeover as both players enjoy the moment.
Ferrero 2-2 Arazi
Arazi levels with his first love game of the match and he does not look ready to give up just yet.
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
Arazi, helped by some kind bounces off the net cord, puts Ferrero under pressure and takes him to deuce but is unable to string two telling shots together when it comes to the crunch.
Ferrero 1-1 Arazi
The pair exchange blistering baseline shots, but it is Arazi who finds more winners down the lines to draw level.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
The Spaniard slaps down some fierce serves and ace number 15 seals the game to 15.
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Second set
Ferrero 7-6 Arazi
Arazi looks ready to level the match when he moves to 6-3 but Ferrero puts in two big serves before the Morrocan hits a wild forehand on his third set point. An epic 37-stroke rally then ends with another Arazi error and Ferrero takes the set with a big backhand.
Ferrero 6-6 Arazi
Three aces in a row get Ferrero back on track and set up what could be a decisive tie-break.
Ferrero 5-6 Arazi
From out of nowhere Arazi has taken control of the set, holding serve to 15 and putting the pressure on Ferrero to force a tie-break.
Ferrero 5-5 Arazi
Ferrero chooses his first set point at 40-15 to make his initial venture to the net and promptly puts the volley in the net. He does exactly the same two points later and Arazi converts his second break point to bring the match back to life.
Ferrero 5-4 Arazi
Ferrero fights back from 40-15 down to force deuce but Arazi holds his nerve and takes the game with a superb backhand down the line.
Ferrero 5-3 Arazi
Arazi gets his first chance of the match at 15-40 but Ferrero steps up a gear to win four straight points and hold on to his break of serve.
Ferrero 4-3 Arazi
Arazi effectively keeps the set alive by staving off two set points, one with a sublime forehand winner down the line.
Ferrero 4-2 Arazi
Ferrero opens with two aces and goes on to hold with ease - before confusing Arazi by leaving the court to change rackets as the Moroccan is about to resume serving.
Ferrero 3-2 Arazi
The crowd tries to get behind Arazi as he holds serve again because the match remains rather low key as Ferrero dominates.
Ferrero 3-1 Arazi
Arazi may be off the mark in this set but he is making no impression on the Ferrero serve at the moment - the Spaniard holds to 15..
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
Arazi looks understandably relieved as he holds serve to finally win his second game of the match.
Ferrero 2-0 Arazi
Two sublime backhand winners from Ferrero keep the pressure on Arazi and the game is won with another huge serve.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
Things go from bad to worse for Arazi as he drops serve again and at the moment he is simply being outmuscled and outplayed by Ferrero.
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First set
Ferrero 6-1 Arazi
Arazi is suffering against the underrated Ferrero serve and his returns are only making mid-court, allowing the Spaniard to blast winners at will.
Ferrero 5-1 Arazi
Arazi is struggling as Ferrero is able to find winners on both sides and the Moroccan nets a forehand to give up another break of serve.
Ferrero 4-1 Arazi
Ferrero has been struggling with injury over the last week but he is showing no sign of it today, forcing Ararzi back with some huge groundstrokes and leaving the Moroccan stranded behind the baseline.
Ferrero 3-1 Arazi
Ferrero gets the break of serve at the second opportunity, forcing Arazi out wide with a cross-court backhand and finishing him off with a forehand down the line.
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
A big ace gives Ferrero the game and his edge in terms of power could prove decisive as Arazi is already being forced to chase a lot of balls.
Ferrero 1-1 Arazi
Ferrero is happy to dictate the rallies with his rock-steady backhand before going for winners on the forehand, but he finds the net on break point and Arazi holds.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
The match opens with some spectacular shot-making from both players, but Arazi's stunning backhand return winner is outdone by Ferrero's heavy forehand as the Spaniard holds serve.
MATCH STATISTICS
Arazi(MAR) Ferrero(ESP)
1st Serve % 69 of 106 = 65 % 73 of 129 = 57 %
Aces 2 18
Double Faults 5 1
Unforced Errors 43 50
Winning % on 1st Serve 49 of 69 = 71 % 55 of 73 = 75 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 16 of 37 = 43 % 30 of 56 = 54 %
Winners (Including Service) 32 41
Break Point Conversions 2 of 10 = 20 % 4 of 8 = 50 %
Net Approaches 11 of 14 = 79 % 22 of 33 = 67 %
Total Points Won 109 126
Fastest Serve 196 KPH 198 KPH
Average 1st Serve Speed 167 KPH 179 KPH
Average 2nd Serve Speed 129 KPH 145 KPH
All the action as Juan Carlos Ferrero beats Hicham Arazi in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Latest score: Ferrero 6-1, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) Arazi
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Third set
Ferrero 7-6 Arazi
The second point of the tie-break produces another incredible rally that sees Arazi recover after being lobbed to return to the net, only to be passed by an exhausted Ferrero. The Spaniard gets a match point when Arazi puts a forehand wide at 6-5 and clinches the match when the Moroccan nets a backhand.
Ferrero 6-6 Arazi
A couple of wild shots from Ferrero give Arazi a useful headstart in the game and, despite a double fault, he holds on to force the tie-break.
Ferrero 6-5 Arazi
Another dreadful Ferrero volley gives Arazi a break point but the Spaniard then comes up with an ace and goes on to take the game, putting huge pressure on Arazi to hold.
Ferrero 5-5 Arazi
Arazi's nerve fails as he serves for the set and some punishing groundstrokes from Ferrero force the break back to 15.
Ferrero 4-5 Arazi
Blistering winners on both the forehand and backhand take Arazi to set point but he pays the penalty for being negative and Ferrero takes advantage to hold.
Ferrero 3-5 Arazi
Another love service game from the rejuvenated Arazi leaves Ferrero serving to stay in the set - and looking out of sorts on the backhand.
Ferrero 3-4 Arazi
Ferrero makes a dive volley reminiscent of Boris Becker at 40-30 but Arazi puts a forehand into the open court to force deuce. The Spaniard then makes successive backhand errors to give Arazi a break of serve.
Ferrero 3-3 Arazi
Arazi makes hard work of the game despite leading 40-15, finally coming through on the first deuce with a big serve.
Ferrero 3-2 Arazi
A dramatic game sees Ferrero save two break points - the second with an ace - before clinching the game in a stunning rally that includes two net cords with a backhand winner. He then gives Arazi a friendly slap on the back at the changeover as both players enjoy the moment.
Ferrero 2-2 Arazi
Arazi levels with his first love game of the match and he does not look ready to give up just yet.
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
Arazi, helped by some kind bounces off the net cord, puts Ferrero under pressure and takes him to deuce but is unable to string two telling shots together when it comes to the crunch.
Ferrero 1-1 Arazi
The pair exchange blistering baseline shots, but it is Arazi who finds more winners down the lines to draw level.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
The Spaniard slaps down some fierce serves and ace number 15 seals the game to 15.
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Second set
Ferrero 7-6 Arazi
Arazi looks ready to level the match when he moves to 6-3 but Ferrero puts in two big serves before the Morrocan hits a wild forehand on his third set point. An epic 37-stroke rally then ends with another Arazi error and Ferrero takes the set with a big backhand.
Ferrero 6-6 Arazi
Three aces in a row get Ferrero back on track and set up what could be a decisive tie-break.
Ferrero 5-6 Arazi
From out of nowhere Arazi has taken control of the set, holding serve to 15 and putting the pressure on Ferrero to force a tie-break.
Ferrero 5-5 Arazi
Ferrero chooses his first set point at 40-15 to make his initial venture to the net and promptly puts the volley in the net. He does exactly the same two points later and Arazi converts his second break point to bring the match back to life.
Ferrero 5-4 Arazi
Ferrero fights back from 40-15 down to force deuce but Arazi holds his nerve and takes the game with a superb backhand down the line.
Ferrero 5-3 Arazi
Arazi gets his first chance of the match at 15-40 but Ferrero steps up a gear to win four straight points and hold on to his break of serve.
Ferrero 4-3 Arazi
Arazi effectively keeps the set alive by staving off two set points, one with a sublime forehand winner down the line.
Ferrero 4-2 Arazi
Ferrero opens with two aces and goes on to hold with ease - before confusing Arazi by leaving the court to change rackets as the Moroccan is about to resume serving.
Ferrero 3-2 Arazi
The crowd tries to get behind Arazi as he holds serve again because the match remains rather low key as Ferrero dominates.
Ferrero 3-1 Arazi
Arazi may be off the mark in this set but he is making no impression on the Ferrero serve at the moment - the Spaniard holds to 15..
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
Arazi looks understandably relieved as he holds serve to finally win his second game of the match.
Ferrero 2-0 Arazi
Two sublime backhand winners from Ferrero keep the pressure on Arazi and the game is won with another huge serve.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
Things go from bad to worse for Arazi as he drops serve again and at the moment he is simply being outmuscled and outplayed by Ferrero.
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First set
Ferrero 6-1 Arazi
Arazi is suffering against the underrated Ferrero serve and his returns are only making mid-court, allowing the Spaniard to blast winners at will.
Ferrero 5-1 Arazi
Arazi is struggling as Ferrero is able to find winners on both sides and the Moroccan nets a forehand to give up another break of serve.
Ferrero 4-1 Arazi
Ferrero has been struggling with injury over the last week but he is showing no sign of it today, forcing Ararzi back with some huge groundstrokes and leaving the Moroccan stranded behind the baseline.
Ferrero 3-1 Arazi
Ferrero gets the break of serve at the second opportunity, forcing Arazi out wide with a cross-court backhand and finishing him off with a forehand down the line.
Ferrero 2-1 Arazi
A big ace gives Ferrero the game and his edge in terms of power could prove decisive as Arazi is already being forced to chase a lot of balls.
Ferrero 1-1 Arazi
Ferrero is happy to dictate the rallies with his rock-steady backhand before going for winners on the forehand, but he finds the net on break point and Arazi holds.
Ferrero 1-0 Arazi
The match opens with some spectacular shot-making from both players, but Arazi's stunning backhand return winner is outdone by Ferrero's heavy forehand as the Spaniard holds serve.
MATCH STATISTICS
Arazi(MAR) Ferrero(ESP)
1st Serve % 69 of 106 = 65 % 73 of 129 = 57 %
Aces 2 18
Double Faults 5 1
Unforced Errors 43 50
Winning % on 1st Serve 49 of 69 = 71 % 55 of 73 = 75 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 16 of 37 = 43 % 30 of 56 = 54 %
Winners (Including Service) 32 41
Break Point Conversions 2 of 10 = 20 % 4 of 8 = 50 %
Net Approaches 11 of 14 = 79 % 22 of 33 = 67 %
Total Points Won 109 126
Fastest Serve 196 KPH 198 KPH
Average 1st Serve Speed 167 KPH 179 KPH
Average 2nd Serve Speed 129 KPH 145 KPH
