ARTICLE Spain Surges to a 2-0 Lead
The quarterfinal clash between Spain and the Netherlands started as a cold, wet and dull day in Mallorca but things couldn’t have finished brighter for the host nation as they wrapped up today’s play with a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands.
In his usual cool, calm and collected way, Juan Carlos Ferrero treated his King and namesake Juan Carlos I to an impressive win over Raemon Sluiter 62 62 64. The Spanish baseliner worked Sluiter around the clay court applying pressure to the Dutchman and depriving him of the form he has often found in Davis Cup. Sluiter had won two of his last three meetings with Ferrero on hard court but today it was a different story on the Spaniard's favourite surface.
“He is one of the best, or maybe even the best player on clay and on the earth, so of course the clay was a factor today. The last couple of times we played we were on a little bit faster surface where I can play a quicker game and try and put pressure on him in the first two strokes. But this time on clay it was exactly the opposite, he had the pressure on in the first two strokes and then I had to start running, and I don’t like running” admitted Sluiter.
In the final set, with the help of his orange spectator brigade, Sluiter was able to lift his game a little but Ferrero was still able to break the Dutch No. 3 and finished the match in just one hour and 50 minutes.
Ranked No. 3 in the world and with out a doubt the favourite going into this match, Ferrero was very happy with today’s outcome. “We knew that if we played well we could win like this, but we also know in Davis Cup it is extra difficult to win and we expected these guys to fight a lot. But I think Carlos and I played great matches today, we were very solid and they didn’t have so many chances to win.”
“It is a great feeling to play in front of our home crowd. They were a huge support today, especially when it was so difficult to support because it was a cold day. We hope they continue to come for the rest of the weekend,” said Ferrero.
Ferrero hinted that things could have been different if Dutch No.1 Sjeng Schalken had taken to the court in one of the singles rubbers. “You never know if Schalken was playing it may have been different, he has more experience on clay because he has won some tournaments on clay courts but they chose Sluiter and that’s all that matters because we won today.”
Tjerk Bogtstra, the Netherlands Captain, defended his decision to play Martin Verkerk and Sluiter ahead of Schalken. “I made this decision and these are the results, I cannot blame the boys I just think that the two Spanish players played too good today. It doesn’t matter if Sjeng played or not.”
[...]
>> full article
>> another nice article
Makes me so proud to hear Sluiter compliment JC by saying 'He is one of the best, or maybe even the best player on clay and on the earth' *beaming* Great job JC and Carlos. Now just hope Nadal and Robredo can seal the victory by winning their doubles match tomorrow (at 13.00) ^^
The quarterfinal clash between Spain and the Netherlands started as a cold, wet and dull day in Mallorca but things couldn’t have finished brighter for the host nation as they wrapped up today’s play with a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands.
In his usual cool, calm and collected way, Juan Carlos Ferrero treated his King and namesake Juan Carlos I to an impressive win over Raemon Sluiter 62 62 64. The Spanish baseliner worked Sluiter around the clay court applying pressure to the Dutchman and depriving him of the form he has often found in Davis Cup. Sluiter had won two of his last three meetings with Ferrero on hard court but today it was a different story on the Spaniard's favourite surface.
“He is one of the best, or maybe even the best player on clay and on the earth, so of course the clay was a factor today. The last couple of times we played we were on a little bit faster surface where I can play a quicker game and try and put pressure on him in the first two strokes. But this time on clay it was exactly the opposite, he had the pressure on in the first two strokes and then I had to start running, and I don’t like running” admitted Sluiter.
In the final set, with the help of his orange spectator brigade, Sluiter was able to lift his game a little but Ferrero was still able to break the Dutch No. 3 and finished the match in just one hour and 50 minutes.
Ranked No. 3 in the world and with out a doubt the favourite going into this match, Ferrero was very happy with today’s outcome. “We knew that if we played well we could win like this, but we also know in Davis Cup it is extra difficult to win and we expected these guys to fight a lot. But I think Carlos and I played great matches today, we were very solid and they didn’t have so many chances to win.”
“It is a great feeling to play in front of our home crowd. They were a huge support today, especially when it was so difficult to support because it was a cold day. We hope they continue to come for the rest of the weekend,” said Ferrero.
Ferrero hinted that things could have been different if Dutch No.1 Sjeng Schalken had taken to the court in one of the singles rubbers. “You never know if Schalken was playing it may have been different, he has more experience on clay because he has won some tournaments on clay courts but they chose Sluiter and that’s all that matters because we won today.”
Tjerk Bogtstra, the Netherlands Captain, defended his decision to play Martin Verkerk and Sluiter ahead of Schalken. “I made this decision and these are the results, I cannot blame the boys I just think that the two Spanish players played too good today. It doesn’t matter if Sjeng played or not.”
[...]
>> full article
>> another nice article
Makes me so proud to hear Sluiter compliment JC by saying 'He is one of the best, or maybe even the best player on clay and on the earth' *beaming* Great job JC and Carlos. Now just hope Nadal and Robredo can seal the victory by winning their doubles match tomorrow (at 13.00) ^^
