MATCH PREDICTIONS
Raemon Sluiter (Netherlands) - Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain, 2)
Centre court – second evening match
Sluiter and Ferrero also met in the quarter-finals of last year’s tournament, when Ferrero retired with an injury. As Ferrero will realise, Sluiter’s ranking is an irrelevance when he’s playing in the Netherlands. Sluiter to win in three sets.
Head-to-head: Sluiter 2-0.
MATCH REPORT Van Lottum almost causes major upset
John van Lottum came extremely close to a place in the quarter-finals last night. Following a gruelling match that lasted a little under three hours, number two seed Juan Carlos Ferrero just managed to beat the Dutchman to the post: 7-5, 5-7, 7-6.
Although Ferrero won the opening set, Van Lottum clearly showed that he was able to keep pace with the Spaniard. He launched a determined offensive in the second set, and fought as if his life depended on it. With success. The third set was nothing short of a thrilling showdown. Although the Dutchman had three breakpoints at 5-5, Ferrero kept his cool and retained the game. A tiebreak was needed to separate the players. Having forced an early break, Ferrero gained the advantage. But still Van Lottum refused to yield. At 6-5, the Spaniard was offered his first matchpoint, which he used to secure a hard-earned place in the quarter-finals.
"I am very pleased that I won. John played exceptionally well, and received fantastic support from the audience. I next play Raemon Sluiter. Another Dutchman, but above all another difficult opponent," said Ferrero.
Raemon Sluiter (Netherlands) - Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain, 2)
Centre court – second evening match
Sluiter and Ferrero also met in the quarter-finals of last year’s tournament, when Ferrero retired with an injury. As Ferrero will realise, Sluiter’s ranking is an irrelevance when he’s playing in the Netherlands. Sluiter to win in three sets.
Head-to-head: Sluiter 2-0.
MATCH REPORT Van Lottum almost causes major upset
John van Lottum came extremely close to a place in the quarter-finals last night. Following a gruelling match that lasted a little under three hours, number two seed Juan Carlos Ferrero just managed to beat the Dutchman to the post: 7-5, 5-7, 7-6.
Although Ferrero won the opening set, Van Lottum clearly showed that he was able to keep pace with the Spaniard. He launched a determined offensive in the second set, and fought as if his life depended on it. With success. The third set was nothing short of a thrilling showdown. Although the Dutchman had three breakpoints at 5-5, Ferrero kept his cool and retained the game. A tiebreak was needed to separate the players. Having forced an early break, Ferrero gained the advantage. But still Van Lottum refused to yield. At 6-5, the Spaniard was offered his first matchpoint, which he used to secure a hard-earned place in the quarter-finals.
"I am very pleased that I won. John played exceptionally well, and received fantastic support from the audience. I next play Raemon Sluiter. Another Dutchman, but above all another difficult opponent," said Ferrero.
